Florida officials warn of alligator danger after deadly river attack

Florida wildlife officials are urging swimmers, anglers and pet owners to keep their distance from the water after three alligator encounters in eight days, including a fatal attack in Seminole County. A 31-year-old woman died after being bitten while swimming with friends in the Econlockhatchee River near the Barr Street Trailhead in Little Big Econ State Forest.

The fatal attack came after two earlier incidents in Marion County. On June 21, a snorkeler was bitten in Rainbow River, prompting Marion County deputies to close the waterway while the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission searched for the alligator. Days later, a juvenile fishing from shore at Nelson Fish Camp was bitten in the hand by an 8-foot, 7-inch alligator that a law enforcement officer removed and killed.

Alligators are found in all 67 Florida counties, and the state has an estimated 1.3 million of them of every size. Serious injuries remain rare, but risk rises when people swim in or near waterways, especially in warmer months. Alligator courtship begins in early April, and mating typically occurs in May and June, a period when animals may travel outside their usual habitats.

Multiple agencies and a contracted nuisance alligator trapper responded to the fatal Seminole County attack, and trapping efforts were ongoing. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission extended condolences to the victim’s family and advises people to avoid feeding alligators, swim only in designated daylight swimming areas, and keep pets leashed and away from the water. Anyone concerned about an alligator can call the Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-392-4286.