JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A man was arrested and a warrant was issued for his father after conservation officials said they kept four alligators and a crocodile at their Bayard home.

1 Man Arrested, 2nd Sought After Croc, Gators Discovered At Home

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission investigators said an anonymous tip led them to the back yard of Robert Hayes, 55, and Scott Hayes, 26.

"When we responded to the residence, there were alligators and a crocodile in a concrete fish pond with a 3-foot fence around it," FWC Investigator Kevin Larson said.

Neither man had permits to possess the reptiles. Larson, along two other FWC officers, caught the four alligators and the crocodile. Larson said both men claimed they did not know how the alligators got into the pond.

"Mr. Hayes did tell us they fed the reptiles live chickens," Larson said. "They would put corn around the pond and then put a chicken in the enclosure to eat the corn. The gators and crocodile would then eat the chicken."

FWC officers believes the alligators were from the wild.

The crocodile was identified as a New Guinea crocodile, which is not a native species in Florida, and was identified by staff at St. Augustine Alligator Farm as one stolen from them.

David Drysdale, owner of the Alligator Farm, estimated its value at $2,500.

The crocodile was returned to the Alligator Farm, which was also keeping the alligators for safekeeping.

Robert Hayes was arrested Sept. 23 and charged with four misdemeanor counts of possession of an American alligator and one felony charge of possessing a crocodile.

An arrest warrant was issued for Robert Hayes, who is facing the same five charges.

Anyone with information about this case or other wildlife law violations is encouraged to call 888-404-FWCC. Wildlife law violations also can be reported online at MyFWC.com. Tipsters can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward if the information results in an arrest.