A woman swimming in the Silver River near Ocala nearly died on Aug. 8 when an alligator bit her arm and dragged her underwater, according to reports. She survived after a nearby boater was able to pull her out and apply a tourniquet, but she lost the limb.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said they believe the 9-foot, 8-inch alligator has been captured and euthanized.
Thousands, if not millions of people in Florida flock to the beaches, lakes, rivers and waterways during the hot summer months to cool off and enjoy the state’s natural beauty. But alligators can be found in every county in the state and seemingly lurk in practically every body of water.
The state has seen some horrific attacks this summer, with three people getting bitten within a week. One woman lost her life while swimming in the Econlockhatchee River just north of Orlando after an alligator ripped her left arm from her body, a young boy lost his hand when he was bitten in Marion County, and a snorkeler was bitten in the same area.
Here’s how to stay safe.
How many fatal gator attacks have there been in Florida?
While gator attacks aren’t uncommon in Florida, deaths from them are. The FWC says the chances of a person getting seriously injured in an unprovoked alligator attack are one in 3.1 million.
Since the state started tracking alligator bites on people in 1948, there have been more than 500 unprovoked bites from wild alligators, according to FWC data, or an average of 6.5 bites per year. Of those, about 350 were major bites and 33 were fatal, including the woman killed this year.
When is alligator mating season in Florida?
Alligator activity also picks up in the spring and summertime, when they typically breed, look for new habitats, and nest. Courtship begins in early April, mating occurs in May or June, and alligators lay their eggs in late June and early July, the FWC said. Hatching occurs between mid-August and early September.
How to avoid alligator attacks in Florida
Mostly, by avoiding them entirely.
If you get bitten by an alligator, get medical attention as soon as possible. Alligator bites can result in serious infection.
You can get more tips and info at GatorWise, a website produced by the FWC and state fish and wildlife agencies from 10 other states to educate residents on the importance and the dangers of alligators, and how to coexist safely.
What do I do if I see an alligator?
If you encounter an alligator you think will be a threat to people, pets or property, call the FWC’s Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 1‐866‐FWC‐GATOR (392‐4286) or visit myfwc.com.
The FWC’s Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (SNAP) uses contracted nuisance alligator trappers throughout the state to remove alligators 4 feet in length or greater that are believed to pose a threat.
C. A. Bridges is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida’s service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Woman’s arm severed by alligator in Florida. Tips to stay safe
Reporting by C. A. Bridges, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Florida Today
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By C. A. Bridges, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida | USA TODAY Network
