HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — A woman is recovering in the hospital after an eight-foot-long alligator bit her leg, the Florida Fish Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) said in a news release.
The condition of the woman is unknown at this time, but FWC says she is being treated for her injuries. The incident reportedly occurred on the Fourth of July while the woman was in the Hillsborough River.
In a statement, FWC says serious injuries caused by alligators are rare in the state of Florida. The agency also mentioned the Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (SNAP), which is designed to "proactively address alligator threats in developed areas, while conserving alligators in areas where they naturally occur."
FWC says people concerned about a gator in their area should call FWC's toll-free Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286).
In addition, the agency says Florida residents should abide by the following precautions when spotting a gator in their area.
- Keep a safe distance if you see an alligator.
- Keep pets on a leash and away from the water’s edge. Pets often resemble alligators’ natural prey.
- Swim only in designated swimming areas during daylight hours and without your pet. Alligators are most active between dusk and dawn.
- Never feed an alligator. It’s illegal and dangerous. When fed, alligators can lose their natural wariness and instead learn to associate people with the availability of food.
For more information on alligators, click here.
