Alligator attacks rare in Florida, but nuisance gator numbers on rise Crews are starting the long-term repairs after Hurricane Ian, causing traffic jams in Southwest Florida. Alligators on Sanibel are awesome to see, but you have to be careful and cautious, make sure you don't feed them or get to close! She survived the attack but died later of an infection caused by the bite. A 54-year-old landscaper, Melsek was attacked Wednesday by an alligator that was 11 feet, 9 inches long and weighed 457 pounds. Alligator Attack Claims Landscape Contractor A word to the wise should be sufficient. The Truth About Alligators on Sanibel Island, The Best Sanibel Stories Come from Guests. Sanibel & SWFL- UPDATE 12/16/22 - Alligator Attack, FEMA Trailers High humidity will make our afternoon feels like temperatures reach the 90s in many spots. May 4, 2001: The chewed body of 70-year-old Samuel Wetmore was found floating in a south Sarasota County retention pond with an 8-foot alligator circling nearby. Murray said it was skinny for an alligator. An 88-year-old woman was killed in a suspected alligator attack at a Robert Steele, 82, was killed by a 10 foot, 9 inch-long gator Sept. 11, 2001, near his house on Rabbit Road in Sanibel on Sept. 11, 2001. The. I am linking . This was the first recorded fatal alligator attack in Texas since 1836. The attack on Melsek made headlines internationally because of a heroic effort to save her by several men who heard her screams and Sanibel Police officers who rushed to her aid. Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Alligator attacks man who was washing hands in pond - Sun Sentinel The man was able to free himself and call 911, but sustained serious injury to his right forearm. Utilities Department 24hr Emergency Hotline: Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. United States - sad news of an Alligator attack on Sanibel - A woman who had worked on Sanibel for many years was attacked by an alligator while working. Between poor water quality and damage from Hurricane Ian, this years wildlife surveys hold extra weight, and researchers are paying special attention to Floridas winter shorebird count. We just want to see a sensible distance between the two! Olin was taken to HealthPark Medical Center in Fort Myers for appropriate treatment, to include antibiotics to ward off any infection. Obviously, theres more people moving onto the island, he said. Guide To Waterfront Dining. Switchboard: (305) 751-6692 Re: Snakes or alligators on Captiva? Trappers later killed 10 alligators in the Dead River, including one they decided was responsible. Alligator will be euthanized after attacking a man near pond in Sanibel The decorative pond is about the size of a swimming pool, said Sanibel Police Maj. Michael Murray. About three hours after the attack, first responders were able to get the gator out of the pond. Allison Christian faces a charge of aggravated animal cruelty, according to an arrest report. Youve got to be careful., Turf Masters Brands expands with recent acquisitions, Project EverGreen receives $50,000 matching grant from MEDC, Schill Grounds Management promotes 4 to senior positions, Schill Grounds Management acquires GrassCor, SavATree merges with Lyndon Tree Care & Landscaping. Gators are common in Florida and Chief Barrett said they respond to these types of calls more often than you will think. If you would like to watch t. FULL STORY:https://t.co/s8YiqlIH9V pic.twitter.com/HIf2fsEoQj. "But hes a pretty tough old boy. The man was washing his hands in a pond in Sanibel, Florida, at around 11 a.m. on Thursday when the alligator bit him, the city said in a statement. What do we expect?. Alligator on Sanibel Island - YouTube The man was able to free himself and call 911, but sustained serious injury to his right forearm, according to a release by the city of Sanibel. An alligator in a pond on Sanibel Island attacked a man who was washing his hands in the water. A photo of the aftermath of the attack is so graphic we had to blur it, but with a closer look, you can see the reason the man in this photo is still alive. Murray and Adams say that people need to be aware of their surroundings, but as Adams said, even the trappers had a difficult time finding the gator in the pond where Olin was working. Its the sunshine state! Copyright 2023 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. She died at 9:15 a.m. Friday during surgery at Lee Memorial Hospital as doctors tried to combat the infection that spread through her body. FWCs gator trappers gave us a close up of the gator after it was captured. After the gator was captured FWC's gator trappers gave Fox 4 a closer look at the gator that bit a man's arm. We quickly became acquainted with everything Sanibel & Captiva have to offer. My wife Lori and I have been running a successful photography business on the islands since 2000. . The victim fell into a pond in a gated community in Hilton Head Island, . Four of those deaths involve a child under age 5. The man was able to free himself and call . Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says you can call its nuisance alligator hotline at 866-392-4286 if you are concerned about a gator. WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports | Fort Lauderdale, Coral Gables resident still refuses to sell decades-old home surrounded by massive development, Broward County pastor faces several fraud, grand theft charges after defrauding church, Gunman dead after hours-long SWAT standoff at SW Miami-Dade apartment complex, Police: Man fatally shot 3-year-old son, himself inside Coconut Grove condo, Police arrest student who made false bomb threat at Dillard High School; classes resume. May 13, 2006: On the same day Campbell's body was found, the body of Judy W. Cooper, 43, was found in a canal 20 miles north of St. Petersburg, in Pinellas County. She suffered a broken thumb and gashes on a leg. That will require a bit (a lot) of a detour from going directly to Sanibel Island, as the spot to (maybe!) WSVN-TVSunbeam Television Corp Ironically, Olin lives on the same street as Sanibel's only other fatal gator attack victim. Sanibel has a special permit from the state allowing it to move gators under 8 feet long that get in the way of humans as long as theyre not acting aggressively. During cooler months, alligators are generally lethargic and do not move around much. Chief Barrett explained that the worker is from Arkansas and was washing his hands in the pond when he was attacked. You have to have your head on a swivel and be smart, especially with regard to small animals and small children; if youre down near the waters edge, theres a potential gator there. Janie Melsek, 54, was attacked Wednesday by the. Sanibel Island, Florida 33957 First, alligators are opportunistic eaters. Do not throw them in the water. Trappers later caught and killed an 8-1/2-foot alligator that had some of her body parts in its belly. An alligator is seen during a kayak tour near Everglades City on Dec. 2. He was walking a dog on a narrow path between two wetland areas near J.N. Animals in the region were disrupted by Hurricane Ian in September, and may have found new homes in unexpected places. Administrative Services/ Human Resources/ Benefits/ Pensions, Business Tax Receipts (formerly Occupational Licenses), Police including Emergency Management Forms, Register with AlertLee for Emergency Announcements, Register for Recreation Center Activities, City of Sanibel Demographics - April 27, 2021, Commercial Hurricane Re-Entry Application. The primary factor in the evaluation is determining the potential danger posed by an alligator or crocodile. List of fatal alligator attacks in the United States - Wikipedia The man was able to free. Man bitten by alligator in Florida pond sustains "serious injury" Copyright 2023 Waterman Broadcasting of Florida, LLC, Home News Local Man seriously injured after alligator attack on Sanibel. Officials said the man was able to free himself and call 911. Despite the frightening encounter, that man is expected to recover. Since many of the residential neighborhoods on the Island contain lakes or interface with conservation lands containing wetlands, interaction between humans and alligators is likely. Pond Apple Trail 1159 Causeway Road. But some may take the signs to heart in such a way that inhibits their enjoyment of the island. An 11-foot-4-inch, 407-pound alligator that was confirmed to have killed her was euthanized. Kati Sherrard, who was hired to be the [], An alligator was captured in a Sanibel pond Thursday afternoon after the reptile seriously injured a man working on the island. According to officers, the man was washing his hands in the pond when the alligator attacked.. "But the gators are out here. Greenstein said hes not worried Sanibel which depends heavily on tourism could become known as a dangerous place because of gators. Man seriously injured after alligator attack on Sanibel It was a bit of a struggle, Chief Barett said. The 450-pound alligator was killed. 8:49 PM EST, Mon December 19, 2022 A A SANIBEL, Fla. A man was hospitalized after an alligator bit him on the arm. Yetsko and his wife, Donna Yetsko, 51, were doing yard work of their own Friday when they learned Melsek had died. Inform others that feeding alligators is illegal and creates problems for others who want to use the water for recreational purposes and ultimately results in the need to destroy the animal. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge when the gator dragged him into the water. These feared but fascinating creatures are common on the island. She heard a loud splash and when she turned around her son was gone. A woman's service dog had a near death experience when an alligator lunged for it off the Sanibel Causeway recently. As I pulled up, the man was sitting on the side, with blood coming out, with an extension chord that that he used as a makeshift tourniquet, said Sanibel Fire & Rescue District medical director Dr. Benjamin Abo, who specializes in wilderness medicine and who treated the man on-site. He wouldnt speculate on what, if anything, the council may do. Officials were about ready to give up nearly two hours into the hunt for the gator. Contrary to popular belief, they have good eyesight and, their blind spot is in front of their nose. Observe and photograph alligators only from 30 feet or more away. It will be euthanized. Poor Janie is the one who had to suffer for it.. By the beginning of April, when the weather starts to warm, alligators become active, feeding more, looking for new territories and mating. One of the biggest issues people are dealing with when it comes to insurance after Hurricane Ian is property damage. The cause of death was listed as "systemic inflammatory response syndrome." 20351 Summerlin Rd, Fort Myers, FL 33908 Observe and photograph alligators only from 30 feet or more away. Now we've decided to share a little sunshine with those all over the world! (Amy Beth Bennett/South Florida Sun Sentinel). Nov. 23, 2015: Brevard County deputies determined that Matthew Riggins, 22, was killed by an alligator in a Barefoot Bay lake while possibly hiding to avoid law enforcement. In Naples, city council authorized the city manager to spend up to $100,000 to expedite the cleanup of dead fish within the city waterways []. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Therefore, swim only during daylight hours. The toddler, from Nebraska, was vacationing. Experts trapped the cold blooded animal with meat and lassoed it. Early reports that the gator was about 4-feet-long proved wrong once trappers captured the critter. You cant relocate them, he said. Dispose of fish scraps in garbage cans at freshwater boat ramps, docks or fish camps. These feared but fascinating creatures are common on the island. A 12-foot alligator had been spotted in the lake twice the day before his body was found, forcing the park to close temporarily each time. For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy, and Terms of Service. Alligator on Sanibel Island - YouTube View from the wooden bridge that leads to Bowman's beach on Sanibel island View from the wooden bridge that leads to Bowman's beach on Sanibel. , there was a time they almost became extinct. Jeannie Pitts was throwing the frisbee with her dog, Honey, when a gator splashed out of the water. Fatality Rate: Alligator Attacks = 4.3% Shark Attacks = 1.5%. When fed, alligators lose their natural fear and learn to associate people with food. According to the City of Sanibel, the Sanibel Police Department received a 911 call just after 11 a.m. about an adult man who an alligator had bitten in a pond adjacent to Baileys General [], Sanibel took a beating during Ian, and many people think it will be years before the island will ever be close to what it once was. Fatal alligator attacks in Florida over past 20 years - WCTV May 14, 2006: Near Lake George in the Ocala National Forest, the body of 23-year-old Annemarie Campbell was found sticking out of an alligator's mouth by her friends, who beat the reptile until it released her. Were invading their territory. Alligator on the beach - Sanibel Island! Steve Yetsko who called Sanibel police officers the real heroes in Melseks rescue said hes never had a serious problem with a gator. The alligator dragged her into a pond, tearing at her right arm so severely that part of it was later amputated, and rescuers saved her from the reptile's jaws in what was described as a fierce "tug-of-war.". Dog gets away safe after alligator lunges for it off Sanibel Causeway I think they shouldnt let them get that big. She had toxic levels of alcohol and an anti-depression drug in her body, and authorities believed she was attacked on land and dragged into the canal. Alligators On Sanibel Island - The SanCap Guide It's the sunshine state! The attack happened on the 2400 block of Periwinkle Way around 11:00 am. They are native to Mexico, China, and the United States. City of Sanibel Alligator Policy | City of Sanibel - Sanibel, Florida If you want to go there, you will want to go there before you really start driving to Sanibel Island. Snakes or alligators on Captiva? - Captiva Island Forum Luckily the man could pull himself free, but he lost a lot of blood. The man had been washing his hands in a pond when the alligator bit him on the forearm in Sanibel, Florida Credit: Wink. If you see an alligator, the best thing to do is leave it alone. sad news of an Alligator attack on Sanibel - Page 2 - Fodor's Visit Gatorbites Website. They will not be wandering the streets and beaches looking for a bite to eat. Just as we love all wild life on Sanibel, we love our gators. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers, along with a Florida State trapper, searched the area in an attempt to capture the alligator. 2000s. It usually sat on the bank across the pond, she said. Weve encroached upon their turf. But its now something Pitts says she is wary of and wants others to be aware of too. SANIBEL, Fla. A man is in the hospital after an alligator bit him Thursday morning on Sanibel Island, and according to Florida's Fish and Wildlife, the gator will be put to sleep. It was the state's first such fatal attack since 2007. June 23, 2001: A 2-year-old girl wandered from her Winter Haven backyard to a nearby lake and was killed by a 6 1/2-foot alligator. There are many misconceptions about Alligators but they are still dangerous and as humans, we have to behave respectfully and sensibly towards them. John C. Goede: Can changes be made to common areas without members' approval? see crocodiles in an area called Flamingo in the Everglades that's located pretty far out of the way.. Wetmore suffered from dementia and was believed to have wandered away from his home. NBC 6's Erika Glover brings us the latest on the attack from an alligator that killed a toddler inside one Disney World resort. Then vote no on solar amendment, Ray McNulty: Jim Kaat tells different side to Greg Norman's battle with Medalist Golf Club. Be aware of the possibility of alligator attacks when in or near fresh or brackish bodies of water. Murray said he doesn't recall any other Sanibel gator attacks on humans recently. The alligator believed to be responsible was killed. Sanibel officials plan to meet Tuesday, Aug. 3, to discuss city policies on gators, which Councilman Steve Brown says may be too liberal. Swim in the daytime, Alligators are most active at night. At Baileys General Store, employees Anastasia Cardenas, John Howsmon and Travis Rudder talked about gators as they took a break from work. "Thankfully Lauri's OK," Murray said. Guide to Sanibel Restaurants The gator reached up and grabbed his arm, Abo said. The gator, a 12-foot, 3-inch male was removed and destroyed. The Sanibel Police Department received a 911 call shortly after 11am after a man was bitten in a pond near a general store on the island.. A photo of the aftermath of the attack is so graphic we had to blur it, but with a closer . Then, they dragged it in on shore and away from the water to be euthanized. Alligator on the beach - Sanibel Island! - YouTube Alligator attacks man who was washing hands in pond The first 911 call, from Olin's co-worker, came at 11:18 a.m. "It wasn't really that big and it wasn't that deep," Murray said of the pond. SANIBEL, Fla. (WSVN) Rescue teams saved a mans life after a harrowing alligator attack in Sanibel. Alligator Safety Tips | City of Sanibel - Sanibel, Florida High temperatures will climb into the 80s and low 90s under mostly sunny skies. The latest bite brings to eight the number of people bitten by gators this year in Florida. Sept. 11, 2001, 82-year-old Robert Steele had his leg severed and bled to death when he was attacked by a 10-foot alligator while walking his dog by a Sanibel Island canal. Lee County announced that several beach parksLynn Hall Memorial Park, San Carlos Bay-Bunche Beach Preserve, Bonita Beach Park and Bonita Beach Accesses 1 to 10would reopen on Saturday. The gator, a 12-foot, 3-inch male was removed and destroyed. They were able to lure the animal in to range with meat, and eventually subdued it. July 15, 2005: An alligator more than 12 feet long grabbed 41-year-old Kevin Murray by the arm as he swam in Apollo Waterway and pulled him underwater as neighbors watched. ", Contact Valli Finney at vallimfinney@yahoo.com, PHOTOS: County Commissioners square off at forum, Collier commission candidates clash over fracking. There are several places to spot Alligators on Sanibel and, they are most active in the warmer months.