A 31-year-old woman died after an alligator attacked her while swimming in the Econlockhatchee River in Central Florida. The incident marks the second alligator-related death in the state this month, prompting officials to issue urgent warnings about the risks posed by these reptiles.
Emergency calls captured the chaos of the attack. A caller described the scene, stating, “Bad, real bad please, hurry … she’s losing a lot of … please hurry … Someone got bit by a gator.” The victim was transported to a hospital under trauma alert but later succumbed to her injuries.
Multiple agencies, including a contracted nuisance alligator trapper, responded to the site. Trapping operations continue as authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack.
This tragedy follows another alligator attack just 24 hours earlier, in which a child sustained injuries while fishing. The same region saw a snorkeler bitten the previous week, leading to the temporary closure of a popular river until a large alligator was removed.
Florida is home to approximately 1.3 million alligators, found in all 67 counties. Officials emphasize that while serious injuries are rare, alligators are particularly active during mating season, which peaks in spring and early summer.
Authorities advise the public to maintain a safe distance from waterways, keep pets leashed, and avoid feeding alligators. “Feeding these animals can eliminate their natural caution and lead to dangerous behavior,” officials stated. “Swim only in designated areas during daylight and never with pets near water edges.”
Concerns about alligators can be reported through a dedicated toll-free hotline. This service connects callers with trained trappers to address potential threats from nuisance alligators.
