TikTok Prankster Arrested for Breaching Alligator Enclosure

A wannabe social media prankster learned the hard way that some things are no laughing matter after getting arrested for breaching the alligator enclosure at Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay earlier this month.

Jacob Pursifull, 20, of Prarieville, Louisiana, was charged with burglary, theft of services, and trespassing after he and two friends allegedly jumped the fence to illegally enter the park on June 1. Ignoring "multiple" signs and barriers indicating that it was a restricted access area, Pursifull then proceeded to breach two fences to enter the alligator enclosure.

His friends filmed the stunt for TikTok and YouTube—where he boasts about 8,000 combined followers—before authorities were able to identify him from the footage. Pursifull's other videos have titles such as "I got attacked!" and "HE ALMOST DIED."

The offending videos have since been removed from Pursifull's social media accounts. However, bystanders also captured the scene, in which Pursifull could be seen inexplicably yelling about "Another wild Karen, crikey!" while doing what can best be described as a poor man's Steve Irwin impersonation, as other begged him to get out.

@gagegouldingtv

❌ DON'T DO THIS ❌ A man hopped the barrier around an alligator exhibit at Busch Gardens in Tampa. Nick Reid says the guy was roughly 5 feet away from an alligator before getting back on the other side. 📸: Nick Reid #news #swfl #florida #tiktoknews #fyp #foryou #foryoupage #explore #onlyinflorida #fl #floridaman #fypシ #newstok #gator #alligator #tampa #tampabay

♬ original sound - Gage Goulding 📺

Vernon Yates, founder of the Tampa-area Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation, later told Tampa Bay's Fox 13 News, that Pursifull's stunt was "stupid," and that no one should view what he did as being "cool." In addition to endangering himself, Yates explained how the 20 year old's actions could have potentially put the animals in danger.

"There was no sign of animal respect there, because if he understood that if one of those animals would have grabbed him, they would’ve killed the animal," Yates explained. "I think that’s a big part that most people don’t understand, that when these kinds of animals hurt somebody, they become dead animals."

Busch Gardens likewise issued a statement, thanking police for their swift action.

"We are thankful to hear that the individuals involved in illegally entering one of our animal habitats recently have been arrested and are facing charges for their dangerous actions," a spokesman for Busch Gardens said. "The safety and well-being of our guests, ambassadors, and animals is a top priority, and we are very grateful to law enforcement, particularly the Tampa Police Department and their law enforcement partners, for their swift action."

According to the Tampa Bay Times, Pursifull was arrested and booked on Monday, June 5, and as of Tuesday, remained in custody on $8,500 bail.