Florida Fish & Wildlife Conversation announced the arrest of a Englewood, Florida man after he was seen on video allegedly feeding a Key deer last October.
James Lewis Rowe, 25, is facing charges related to illegally feeding, harassing and attempting to capture and collect Key deer.
FWC Investigator Chris Mattson received a tip through FWC’s Wildlife Alert Program of a man feeding and harassing Key deer and posting about it online. Mattson viewed videos posted on the Internet of a man enticing a Key deer with food to enter a cottage at the Old Wooden Bridge Fishing Camp located in Big Pine Key.
Mattson identified Rowe and contacted him by phone. Rowe admitted he was the man in the video but denied knowing it was illegal to feed the deer — even though the fishing camp requires all guests to sign waivers stating they will not feed the deer because. Signs were also posted throughout Big Pine Key stating it is illegal to feed the Key deer.
Key deer are a federally designated endangered species found only in the Florida Keys; it is illegal to feed them. Feeding Key deer is harmful because it lessens the fear of humans and causes the deer population to concentrate, facilitating the spread of parasites and disease.
To learn more about Key deer, visit: MyFWC.com/wildlifehabitats. Click on “Species Profiles” and then “Key Deer”.The public can report suspected wildlife violations by contacting FWC through the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (888-404-3922) or visiting MyFWC.com/WildlifeAlert.
