COLUMBIA, S.C. -- South Carolina wildlife authorities are investigating after photos circulated online showing beer being poured down a young alligator's throat.

Kyndel McConchie, public information director for the State Department of Natural Resources, says charges are expected to be announced Friday.

It's unclear what the charges will be, but alligators are federally protected animals. State law makes it illegal to feed an alligator or capture one without a permit.

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McConchie says the animal is clearly not being handled properly, as the photos show the gator's neck being tightly squeezed. One photo shows smoke being blown into the gator's mouth.

WCSC-TV

The agency was alerted via email and social media on Thursday after the images began circulating on Snapchat and Facebook, CBS affiliate WCSC-TV in Charleston reports.