Video shows alligator chomping on drone, netizens express concern

The caption on the video claimed that the people who were operating the drone weren’t familiar with how to use it and it was only their second time flying it. “We were trying to get a close-up of the gator with its mouth open and thought the obstacle avoidance would make the drone fly away,” it read.

The drone operators hoped that the remote sensor would prevent it from getting too close to the animal.

Watch the moment here:

The video originally posted on Tiktok by user @devhlanger, went viral on other platforms as well. It got wider attention after Google CEO Sundar Pichai retweeted it.

While the TikToker said the incident went down in the Everglades, some users believe it occurred in an area that is controlled by the National Parks Service, where there is an anti-drone policy, Newsweek reported.

According to Complex, the user in another video added that “George” is fine and “still looked hungry after.” However, netizens were concerned if the gator was still doing okay after consuming the drone.

While some that flying drones in such close proximity to wild animals should be banned, others wondered if the people handling the drone should be held responsible for harming the reptile, arguing plastic and lithium are dangerous for the alligator.

Your Florida video of the day. https://t.co/IxWxKjOhtf

— El Brown (@Carmanjelo) September 1, 2021

Pretty sure this is illegal if not murder or harassing & endangering an animal

If done w a similar weapon ppl wouldn’t hesitate to condemn this bc it’s very similar to a fire cracker https://t.co/IuDNb8amxg

— PRINCE RAMSES 🛸🤴🏽 (@imthedronelord) September 1, 2021

Actually it’s not cool 😠..kind of disturbing & dangerous for wildlife..!!! Alligator (crocodile) thought it’s a Bird and snatched the drone.. https://t.co/uYJWapT3GP

— AruN🦸🏻‍♂️ (@arun_sak_) September 1, 2021

It’s not funny. I hear people are laughing when it caches fire in the video, it was very dumb and cruel as well. I hope the alligator is all right.#alligator #cruel #drone https://t.co/ewwR3UvtCZ

— Rokibul Islam (@rokibul_islaam) September 1, 2021

This is part of why it is illegal to harass wildlife by flying drones near them. This was devastating and disgusting.

— Deborah Lee Soltesz (@dsoltesz) September 1, 2021

They should ban the use of drones in such areas as now they know, it can endanger the life of these poor creatures!

— Rich (@RuchiAg97440662) September 1, 2021

Drone and dusted.

— Piece of mind (@dhakkakonmaara) September 1, 2021

Obstacle avoidance? Really?!
Lol🤣🤣 This isn’t a @Tesla, and that’s not an obstacle. This is what happens when you play with nature’s prehistoric beast.

— Sarthak Uchil (@SarthakUchil) September 1, 2021