§280.  White or albino alligators; taking from the wild; prohibition; penalties; notification to alligator hunters

A.  Recognizing that the Louisiana alligator is an important and integral aspect of a vast and complex ecological system, it shall be the policy of the state that those extremely rare species of alligator whose color substantially deviates from the norm shall be especially protected.  

B.(1)  No person shall, whether intentionally or unintentionally, take from the wild any alligator that is white or albino.  

(2)  Subject to the rules and regulations promulgated by the department:

(a)  Landowners or licensed alligator farmers or ranching operations, may take the alligator from the wild for its own protection.  

(b)  Any alligator eggs in the possession of or collected by a licensed alligator farmer or ranching operation which are hatched and contain white or albino alligators may, with prior approval of the department, remain in the possession of such licensed operators.  

(3)  All such instances of possession shall be reported immediately to the department.  

(4)  The disposition of white or albino alligators which have been reported to the department under the provisions of this Subsection shall be established by rules and regulations.  Any person who unintentionally takes from the wild any alligator that is white or albino which is taken by the state shall be paid just compensation therefor by the state.  

C.  Any person who unintentionally takes from the wild any alligator that is white or albino by hook and line shall immediately report its presence and location to the department, whether the alligator is dead or alive.  

D.  It shall be a violation of this Section if any person intentionally takes from the wild any alligator that is white or albino by means of a long or compound bow and barbed arrow, firearm, or by any other means.  In addition to the penalties imposed by Subsection E of this Section, any such person who violates the provisions of this Subsection shall immediately report the alligator's presence and location to the department, whether the alligator is dead or alive.  

E.  Whoever violates any provision of this Section shall be subject to a fine of not less than ten thousand dollars and imprisoned for not less than six months or more than twelve months, or both.  For any subsequent violation of this Section, there shall be a fine of not less than ten thousand dollars imposed and imprisonment for not less than two years.  

F.  It shall be the responsibility of the department to provide notice to all alligator hunters of the provisions of this Section, both orally and in writing, at the time they apply for a resident or nonresident alligator hunter's license.  

Acts 1992, No. 644, §1, eff. July 2, 1992.  

{{NOTE:  SEE ACTS 1992, NO. 644, §2.}}