MARION COUNTY, FL – One woman is dead and two others, including a child, have been injured following a spike in alligator attacks across Central Florida over the past week.
Fatal Attack on Econlockhatchee River
The most severe incident occurred on Sunday, June 28, in Seminole County. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), a woman was swimming in the Econlockhatchee River within the Little Big Econ State Forest when she was severely bitten.
She was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she tragically succumbed to her injuries. Multiple agencies and contracted trappers are currently on-site searching for the alligator involved.
Two Separate Attacks in Marion County
Before Sunday’s fatality, Marion County saw two separate alligator encounters within a week:
- June 21 (Rainbow River): A man was attacked by an 8-foot alligator. He was hospitalized but has since been released. The reptile was later trapped and removed.
- June 27 (Nelson Fish Camp): A child fishing from the shoreline was bitten on the hand by another alligator measuring over eight feet. The child was hospitalized for treatment, and authorities successfully trapped the alligator.
FWC Issues Safety Reminders
While the FWC emphasizes that serious injuries from alligators remain rare, they are urging residents and visitors to practice extreme caution near fresh or brackish water.
Officials recommend swimming only in designated areas during daylight hours, keeping pets on a tight leash away from the water’s edge, and never feeding wild alligators.
If you spot a concerning or aggressive alligator, contact the FWC’s Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR.
