FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Three airboat captains in the Everglades who are accused of feeding alligators have been arrested.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said that on July 12, undercover officers took airboat rides at Everglades Holiday Park in Broward County.

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The FWC said the officers saw three airboat captains feeding alligators, prompting one alligator to get near enough to bump one of the boats.

Randy Rothermel, 49, of Fort Lauderdale and Armando Horta, 42, of Hialeah are charged with feeding alligators, and John Pieper, 57, of Fort Lauderdale is charged with molesting an alligator, the FWC said.

All charges are second degree misdemeanors, which carry a penalty of up to 60 days and a $500 fine.

Everglades Holiday Park owner Clint Bridges said he doesn't condone the behavior, and he makes all captains sign a list of rules that clearly states they should not feed alligators. He said the captains will be punished.

The FWC asks anyone who sees someone feeding alligators to call the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 1-888-404-FWCC.