A 31-year-old Florida woman has died after being attacked by a large alligator while swimming in the Econlockhatchee River, near the Little Big Econ State Forest. The incident occurred Sunday afternoon as the woman was in approximately three feet of water with her boyfriend and a friend.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the alligator lunged from the water and attacked the woman, severely injuring both her arms. Officials stated that one arm was ripped off completely, and the other was dislocated. The woman's boyfriend reportedly attempted to pull her from the alligator's grasp during the attack.
FWC spokesperson Chad Weber said at a press conference Monday that the investigation has not found any evidence of malicious intent or provocation towards the alligator. He suggested that factors such as low water levels, potentially due to a statewide drought, and the alligator's territorial behavior could have contributed to the attack. Alligator mating season, which began in early April, also increases their aggression and territoriality, Weber noted.
During a 911 call, the caller described the woman's injuries as "horrible" and "losing a lot of" blood, emphasizing the urgent need for medical assistance. The caller also indicated that they were far from a trail, near a small river launch area.
After the alligator eventually released its grip, the boyfriend was able to hold onto the victim. She was transported to a hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries. Her identity has not been released.
Following the attack, FWC officials captured two alligators near the scene: one measuring 12 feet and another, 13 feet long, found directly at the site. DNA samples have been collected from both reptiles and sent to a lab to determine if either was responsible for the fatal mauling. Witnesses described the alligator involved as "very large," consistent with the 13-foot specimen. The FWC Lieutenant Grant Eller stated that the larger alligator is considered a strong candidate for the attacker.
This incident follows a series of alligator attacks in Florida in the preceding week, which resulted in serious injuries to a boy and a teenager. These attacks occurred miles away from traditional waterfront habitats.