Florida Wildlife Possession Case
Witnesses spotted the reptile near Disney World, license-plate readers tracked the vehicle, and officers eventually recovered the carcass after the men allegedly sought a taxidermist.
Road trip and arrests: April 2026 | Bond: $5,000 each | Last verified status: awaiting court resolution
Summary
A road trip through Central Florida drew repeated attention because a dead alligator was strapped to the top of the travelers’ car.
Witnesses first reported the unusual vehicle near Walt Disney World. Police license-plate readers then tracked the car as it moved through other communities.
Authorities said the travelers covered the alligator with a white sheet after several people warned them that possession of the carcass was illegal.
A Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officer stopped the vehicle in Melbourne at approximately 7 p.m.
The occupants were identified as Anthony Buhl, 56, and March Wallin Chadwick, 57. Both reportedly admitted taking the road-killed animal because they wanted to bring it to a taxidermist.
The men had called an FWC dispatcher and claimed they had gotten rid of the alligator. Officers nevertheless recovered the carcass.
Court records did not identify the animal’s size, weight or cause of death.
Buhl and Chadwick were charged with a felony offense covering illegal killing, possession or capture of alligators and other crocodilians.
Each posted $5,000 bond. Their unusual professional and personal backgrounds attracted attention, but those biographies are not evidence of guilt.
A search for later public reporting did not reveal a verified final disposition.
1. The Crime
The allegation centers on unauthorized possession and transport of a protected wildlife carcass.
Florida tightly regulates alligator hunting, possession and transfer. Finding a dead animal on a road does not automatically grant ownership.
The reported warnings and attempt to cover the carcass could be relevant to whether the defendants knew possession was unlawful.
2. Crime Location
The vehicle was seen near Walt Disney World and tracked across Central Florida.
An FWC officer stopped the car in Melbourne, where the investigation culminated.
3. Date and Time of the Crime
- Early April 2026Witnesses reported a dead alligator strapped to the vehicle.
- During the road tripThe carcass was covered with a white sheet after warnings from other people.
- Around 7 p.m.An FWC officer stopped the vehicle in Melbourne.
- April 2026Buhl and Chadwick posted $5,000 bond each.
- April 28, 2026The men were scheduled for arraignment.
- July 30, 2026No reliable final disposition had been found.
4. Police Department
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission handled the wildlife investigation.
License-plate-reader information and witness reports helped officers locate the vehicle.
5. Suspect Name
The defendants are Anthony Buhl and March Wallin Chadwick.
6. Suspect Age
Buhl was 56 and Chadwick was 57.
7. Charges
| Charge or Issue | Classification | Reported Basis | Outcome or Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illegal killing, possession or capture of alligator or crocodilian | Felony allegation | The men allegedly transported a dead alligator without authorization. | Pending in the last verified reporting |
8. Bond Amount
Buhl and Chadwick each posted $5,000 bond.
9. Conviction
No conviction was located for either defendant in this case.
10. Sentence
No sentence had been imposed in the last verified public reporting.
11. Outcome
FWC recovered the alligator carcass.
The defendants were released on bond and ordered to appear in court.
12. Victim
The protected wildlife resource and the State of Florida were the direct interests affected.
The alligator’s cause of death was not disclosed, so this article does not claim that the defendants killed it.
Victim Name
The animal had no publicly reported name.
Victim Age
The alligator’s age was not reported.
Why Roadkill Is Not Automatically Free Property
Wildlife remains subject to conservation rules after death, particularly when the species is regulated.
People who find a protected animal should contact wildlife authorities before moving, keeping or transporting the carcass.
13. Thoughts
A dead alligator on a roof is a powerful roadside billboard for the question, “Are we allowed to do this?” According to police, multiple people supplied the answer before the vehicle was stopped. The case is not about taste in taxidermy. It is about regulated wildlife and whether the travelers knowingly possessed a protected carcass without authority.
SEO Keywords
Anthony Buhl, March Chadwick, dead alligator car roof, Florida alligator possession, FWC arrest, Disney World alligator road trip
Sources
Suggested Tags
Florida, Alligator, Wildlife, Anthony Buhl, March Chadwick, FWC, Male
This article is based on police records, court documents, statutes and published
reporting available as of July 30, 2026. An arrest or criminal charge is not proof
of guilt. Victim addresses and unnecessary personal information have been omitted.
Court records and custody information may change after publication.
