A video live-streamed from the Everglades has placed a Cuban influencer associated with wildlife content in Florida at the center of controversy.
The images, which quickly went viral on social media, show several young people repeatedly shooting at an apparently motionless alligator, in an act that is already under investigation by state authorities.
According to the report by the newspaper El Nuevo Herald, the incident occurred last Thursday when content creator Braden Peters—known as “Clavicular”—was riding a Jet Ski accompanied by several friends, including the Cuban Andrew Mora, popular on social media as the “Cuban Tarzan.”
In the recording, Peters addresses his followers while watching the animal: "Is it dead?", he asks, not taking his eyes off the front camera of his phone.
He then adds, "So, can we shoot him?" At another moment, he insists, "We need to check if he's dead."
A her side, Mora remarks with laughter: “He just wants to shoot at something… the trigger itches him.”
Shortly after, and following what seemed to be the pilot's approval - “They can practically do whatever they want” - both proceed to fire more than 25 shots at the alligator.
The video generated an immediate public reaction and prompted the intervention of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), which confirmed that it is investigating the case.
“FWC agents are investigating the incident and will provide additional information as soon as it is available,” the agency stated on social media.
State legislation is clear: harassing or killing alligators is prohibited, except under specific circumstances authorized by permits during regulated seasons.
If a violation is confirmed, those involved could face legal consequences.
Political reaction
There were also statements from the political sphere.
The Lieutenant Governor of Florida, Jay Collins, was firm in condemning the incident: "Florida's wildlife and waterways deserve respect, not to be exploited for content generation."
And he added: “Under my supervision, anyone who mistreats wildlife in the state will be held accountable with the full rigor of the law. I expect to see charges brought against those who so boldly disobey our laws.”
The case has divided the audience on social media.
While some users justified the action, arguing that the animal was already dead, and celebrated the act with expressions like mogging - which implies dominance or asserting oneself - others demanded exemplary sanctions.
From viral influencer to scrutinized figure
The controversy also involves Andrew Mora, known as the “Cuban Tarzan”, a figure widely followed on digital platforms for his videos interacting with wild animals in Florida.
Until now, his public image has been associated with viral content where he captures iguanas, jumps into canals, or handles reptiles in natural settings.
One of his most popular videos, with over 19 million views, shows him emerging from the water with two iguanas while exclaiming: “They almost got away!” (“¡Casi se escapan!”).
Based in South Florida, Mora has built a community of millions of followers with a style that blends adrenaline, spectacle, and direct interaction with local wildlife.
In previous publications, he has defended his activities, particularly regarding the capture of iguanas—an invasive species—stating:
"I don't do it for fame or money; I do it because the iguanas are destroying the vegetation, and I want to do my part."
That speech, focused on environmental utility and respect for nature, now contrasts sharply with the images coming out of the Everglades, where the actions do not adhere to any species control or regulated practices.
A pattern of controversies
The episode with the alligator is not the only controversial aspect surrounding those involved.
Peters, for example, has previously been involved in controversies, including his presence at a nightclub in Miami Beach where the song “Heil Hitler,” by Kanye West, was playing, and a recent arrest for minor assault charges stemming from a dispute between his girlfriend and another content creator.
However, it is the video of the alligator that has raised the most institutional concern, as it involves a potential environmental crime being widely disseminated in real time.
Between spectacle and legal limits
The case reignites the debate over the boundaries of extreme content on social media, especially when it involves wildlife.
In Florida, where ecosystems like the Everglades are protected by strict regulations, authorities have stressed the need to act responsibly.
As the investigation progresses, the figure of the "Cuban Tarzan" comes under a new spotlight: that of accountability in an environment where the line between entertainment and crime can be as fragile as it is dangerous.
Filed under: