Is Hilton Head Plantation allowed to relocate gators as it's done for decades?

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that Hilton Head Plantation was not allowed to move any alligators. An email from a DNR wildlife biologist says non-nuisance alligators may be moved within the community property.

Hilton Head Plantation has relocated alligators from residents' garages, pools and yards for more than 30 years, according to Hilton Head Plantation's General Manager Peter Kristian.

But earlier this week, the S.C. Department of Natural Resources warned the plantation for relocating alligators without a permit.

Kristian said plantation administrators didn't realize that under state law, a permit is needed to move the protected animal. It's a law he said changed about a year ago without the plantation's knowledge.

Lori Roos, a Hilton Head Plantation resident and self-described animal advocate, said she called DNR on Thursday after observing a plantation security officer relocate an alligator. She said the officer was hanging the alligator out the window of their vehicle as they moved the animal.

"This is clearly above and beyond putting that animal in danger," Roos said. "I do appreciate security. This isn't a slam on their effort. I want everyone to be safe — animals and people included."

DNR spokesman David Lucas confirmed the warning Saturday, but said he was unable to verify when the law officially changed. He said it has been in place for some time.

"They should have known that," Lucas said.

Kristian confirmed a two-foot alligator was moved by a security Thursday. He said the officer kept the animal outside the window as he transported it via a noose around the neck. He said he was unsure whether the alligator was walking on the ground or hanging.

On Monday, Kristian provided an email from DNR wildlife biologist Zadok Moss clarifying that the plantation is acting within the law when it moves alligators — as long as they are determined not to be nuisance alligators — from yards and pools and as long as the alligators are moved to a pond or lagoon that is completely on Hilton Head Plantation property.

A brochure included in Moss' email defines nuisance alligators as those who are exhibiting aggressive behavior toward humans or domestic animals, have been fed or injured, or who are in recreational waters intended primarily for swimming.

Kristian said the officer was not ticketed for the way the animal was transported.

He said relocations occur about several times a day during mating season.

"These are not aggressive alligators," Kristian said. "They they just need to be nudged back into the natural habitat."

He said there are concerns that calling in outside licensed agencies will result in more euthanasia of alligators.

"This is not better for the wildlife or the residents," Kristian said.

In an earlier interview with The Island Packet, Lucas said that 100 alligators are ruled as "nuisance alligators" every year in the Lowcountry. Only about five of those alligators are relocated, while the rest are euthanized.

This story was originally published June 16, 2018 at 4:51 PM with the headline "Is Hilton Head Plantation allowed to relocate gators as it's done for decades?."