Hundreds of alligators slaughtered in Brazil

updated 5:34 p.m. ET April 1, 2008

SAO PAULO, Brazil - Hunters invaded an environmental reserve in northern Brazil and slaughtered more than 700 alligators for their meat, officials said Tuesday.

Environmental agents discovered 8 tons of alligator meat on several barges during a routine investigation into illegal logging activities on Monday, said Aldenira Queiroz, a top official with the environmental protection agency for Amazonas state.

Inspectors did not arrest the four men caught transporting the meat because they do not have police power, but prosecutors could eventually charge them with crimes against the environment, Queiroz said.

Authorities believe the hunters killed 740 alligators on the 2.5 million-acre Piagacu-purus reserve.

Queiroz said the skins of the slaughtered animals apparently were dumped into rivers.

If health inspectors determine the meat is fit for human consumption, it will be donated to hospitals, schools and charities, she said. If not, it will be incinerated.

More from msnbc.com When's Palin leaving? Take our weekly quiz Looking at China unrest from Mongolian perch Adventures in Cancerland: Lust for life Red Tape: Credit card firms' new squeeze Elkhart Blog: Making sure health care isn't casualty

MORE FROM ENVIRONMENT

Environment Section Front

G-8 leaders agree on temperature cap Australian town bans bottled water sales Hope vs. hype: Chasing after ‘green’ jobs Environmentalists unfurl Mt. Rushmore banner Two states ready for first open wolf hunts Curbing wildfires vs. storing carbon? Rice concrete can cut greenhouse emissions G-8 cash sought for climate change Panel urges outdoor spending Shrinking sheep mystery solved: Blame warming Environment Section Front   Add Environment headlines to your news reader: