Man cited for gator death

FULTON, Ark. (AP) - Wildlife officers in Miller County are citing a man for killing endangered species in an illegal hoop net. Investigators say the suspect is responsible for the deaths of an alligator, an alligator snapping turtle and an alligator gar.

Authorities say 34-year-old Jason Oller of Miller County has a June 11 court date to answer citations for killing an 8-foot alligator, a turtle and the alligator gar. He could be fined nearly $2,500.

Game and Fish Commission officers say Oller is accused of using 11 illegal hoop nets. The Texarkana Gazette reports that a wildlife officer found the dead animals in late April on the river near Fulton.

Officials say a number of small mammals and fish were also found dead and decomposing in the illegal nets.

Wildlife officers have made a number of recent arrests for illegal nets on the Red River in southwest Arkansas.