Q: I am a vegetarian, and I love nature. I run in Ocala National Forest, and lately I've seen several alligator carcasses dumped by poachers. I contacted Lake County law enforcement about this and about dumping I see in the forest, and I'm quite sure they will do nothing about either problem. My question is, and I know this is odd, can I legally take an alligator skeleton home with me? I want to clean it and keep it for display, as I think even the bones are still beautiful. -- Andrea

A: Hmm, it seems there are really 2 questions here: whether or not you can take an alligator skeleton, and what to do when you see illegal activity in the forest.

The answer to the first question is the easiest. All public lands owned/managed by the government are protected, as well as everything in those lands. Other than a rare few places that allow dead wood collection for campfires or seashell collection -- and other than fishing and hunting that takes place within the legal limits determined by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) -- no one is allowed to take or destroy anything in a natural area. Just as the old saying goes, "Take only memories, and leave only footprints."

People who poach wildlife, pick wildflowers, collect leaves or stones, or even smash a decaying log aren't abiding by the law because everything in a state or national park, forest, refuge, reserve, etc. is protected.

If you want to report a wildlife violation of any kind -- including the alligator poaching -- try contacting the FWC at 888-404-FWCC (3922) or report the wildlife violation online. This kind of crime is tough to prosecute because officials have to catch someone in the act, but if wildlife officers know what's occurring there, they may have a chance to stop further poaching.

Thanks for caring.

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