OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – A woman was airlifted to a hospital as a trauma alert patient after being attacked by an alligator Monday in Polk County, according to officials.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said it received reports of a woman who was bitten on the elbow by a gator while she was “paddling” at Tiger Creek Canal.
The woman was flown to a hospital for treatment, but officials did not specify the severity of her injuries.
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The FWC and Polk County Fire Rescue responded to the scene, and a nuisance alligator trapper was dispatched to search for and remove the animal, according to a news release.
Brandon Fisher, an alligator expert at Gatorland, said incidents like this, while not common, do occur in Florida.
“It’s Florida, we know there are alligators, and it’s bound to happen at some point,” Fisher said. “Unfortunately, accidents happen, and we never want to see this happen for either party.”
Fisher explained that the incident may have been triggered by the gator feeling threatened.
“If you’re out on a kayak, canoe, or boat, you just have to be aware of your surroundings and not approach these animals,” Fisher said. “They are apex predators and will defend themselves.”
With the start of alligator breeding season, male gators can become more territorial, increasing the chances of encounters with humans, Fisher added.
FWC officials said they place a high priority on safety and they contract nuisance trappers throughout the state to remove alligators believed to pose a threat to people, pets or property.
If you have concerns about an alligator, you can call FWC’s toll-free Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286). They will dispatch a contracted nuisance alligator trapper to resolve the situation.
Officials ask that residents and visitors should:
- Keep a safe distance if you see an alligator.
- Keep pets on a leash and away from the water’s edge. Pets often resemble alligators’ natural prey.
- Swim only in designated swimming areas during daylight hours and without your pet. Alligators are most active between dusk and dawn.
- Never feed an alligator. It’s illegal and dangerous. When fed, alligators can lose their natural wariness and instead learn to associate people with the availability of food. This can lead to an alligator becoming a nuisance and needing to be removed from the wild.
Note: Officials initially stated the attack happened at Tiger Creek Preserve, but later said it actually happened at Tiger Creek Canal.