Terrifying video captures the moment a 10-foot-long alligator lunges at an 85-year-old woman in Florida dragging her to her death as she tries to protect her dog from the beast. Witnesses called 911 and firefighters recovered the woman's body. Wenn Sie Ihre Auswahl anpassen mchten, klicken Sie auf Datenschutzeinstellungen verwalten. It was the fourthdeath from alligator attacks this year after a man was killed looking for Frisbees on May 31 in Florida,another manwas killed near a retention pond in South Carolina on June 24and an 80-year-old Florida woman was killed along a golf course. If you're walking by a lake, a pond, anywhere in Florida, understand, this is Florida, there could be alligators, so do not walk against the edges of any pond or lake, stay a safe distance away.. The woman was killed in the incident involving an alligator based on preliminary information from those who said they witnessed the event, said FWC spokesperson Arielle Callender. "Our prayers go out to the loved ones of the victim and the Spanish Lakes' residents who knew the victim and witnessed the attack," Sheriff Ken Mascara said in a statement released on Facebook. If an alligator attacks, experts say to poke at its eyes and punch and kick it around the head. (CNN) An 85-year-old woman walking her dog was killed Monday when an alligator pulled her into a nearby retention pond in southeast Florida, according to wildlife officials. The video showed how the 3m-long reptile silently followed her and her dog from afar before it finally surged out of the lake and lunged at the pooch called Trooper. An 85-year-old woman was killed by a 10-foot alligator in Fort Pierce, Florida, wildlife officials said Monday. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. All rights reserved. Neighbors have said Serge lived in the community north of Indrio Road near Interstate 95 more than 20 years and had several children. Authorities say the woman, identified as Gloria Serge, "was walking her small dog along a retention pond in her community" when the alligator "pulled her into the water after attempting to take her dog," according to a statement obtained by PEOPLE from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. "I saw the gator grab her." Over the last 10 years, Florida has averaged eight unprovoked bites per year that are serious enough to require professional medical treatment. Firefighters recovered her body from Spanish Lakes Fairways off Interstate 95, near Fort Pierce. Stay safe:5 ways to avoid getting attacked or killed by a Florida alligator. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. The state of Florida, where most attacks and deaths occur, began keeping records of alligator attacks in 1948. Residents told WPTV 5 that the woman whose name has not yet been released was walking her dog just after noon on Monday when an alligator approached and snatched her dog. The deadliest year on record for deadly alligator attacks was in 1993, when two people were killed. BAY NEWS 9. Witnesses to the attack called 911 resulting in a response from the FWC and the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office, according to the FWC. Twenty-six of the bites resulted inpeople being killed by wild alligators. Over the past 10 years, Florida has averaged eight unprovoked bites per year that are serious enough to require professional medical treatment, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. What are the chances of being bitten? "[We] snagged him on the bottom. Meanwhile, a small memorial had been set up in a booth at Loutinas Pizza in the Indrio Crossings Plaza for Serge, who frequented the eatery, according to a worker. The last reported death associated with an alligator before the attack in St. Lucie County was in 2019. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers and St. Lucie County Sheriffs Office deputies were sent to the 6700 block of Picante Circle for what they called an "alligator bite incident" following 911 calls. Alligator attacks are not uncommon in Florida, although deaths from them are. An eyewitness, Ms Carole Thomas, 76, quickly called 911 as she tried to help her neighbour. A total of 303 people have received major injuries and 139 have received minor injuries over the same time period. Alligators are naturally afraid of humans, but will attack in certain instances. However, alligators may be more inclined to approach humans if fed by one, which is why it's illegal to do so in many states. Handling even small alligators can result in injury. (I) just remember her coming up and, you know getting air, and Im saying swim towards the paddle boat, and she says, I cant. There are about 1.3 million alligators in Florida, but alligator attacks resulting in serious injuries are rare, according to the commission. A lighthouse statue was erected a year later near where the incident happened to honor Lane. Alligator bites are most likely to occur in or around water. An 85-year-old woman was killed in an alligator attack as she was walking her dog in Fort Pierce, Florida. Tell Hank: (855) 247-HANK. Frantic 911 Call Released After Alligator Fatally Attacked Florida Woman, 85, Florida Alligator Stuck in Pond with Her Mouth Taped Shut Is Rescued and Freed After 2 Months, Fla. Man Hospitalized After Alligator Bites His Face During Swim Near Tampa, 10-Ft. Alligator Spotted on a Florida Beach, Elderly Florida Woman Killed by 2 Alligators After Falling into a Pond Near Her Home, Man Killed in Suspected Alligator Attack While Looking for Frisbees at Florida Park, Police Say, Florida Man, 59, Killed in Car Crash After Colliding with 11-Foot Alligatorin Roadway, Fla. Man Attacked by 7-Foot Alligator Outside Motel After Mistaking It For a Dog, Florida Woman Suffers 'Severe Injuries' After She Falls into Canal and Is Attacked by Alligator, 250 Gators Have Been Removed from Disney Property in Fla. Ten-foot alligator that killed Florida woman trapped, removed. This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Florida woman, 85, dead after gator attacks while out walking her dog, Jennifer Sangalang and Corey Arwood, Treasure Coast Newspapers, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Terrifying ordeal from the neighbor who witnessed fatal alligator encounter, Wildlife officials investigate woman's death at golf community. Relocated alligators often try to return to their capture site. The Florida commission says the chances of a Florida resident being seriously injured in an unprovoked alligator attack are in one in 3.1 million. In 2018, there was one fatality here, nine major and one minor alligator bites on people. Mandelker said he didnt know whether the three additional alligators were removed from the same pond or lake in which Serge died, but said the ponds are connected and an alligator can go from one to the other. In 2020, there were eight major and four minor gator bites here. Feb. 21, 2023. Witnesses called 911, a commission spokesperson said. A man searching a Florida lake for Frisbees may have died as a result of a possible alligator attack, according to a news release from Largo Police Department. A nearly eight-foot-long alligator attacked a woman who was walking her dog around a small lake in her neighborhood in Palm Harbor, Florida Tuesday, CBS Tampa affiliate WTSP-TV reports. This article is now fully available for you, Please verify your e-mail to read this subscriber-only article in full. Of those bites, 26 were fatal, meaning there was one fatal injury nearly every three years in the state. I think shes gone. An 85-year-old woman who was walking her dog by a pond near her home in Fort Pierce, Fla., was killed when an alligator dragged her into the water on Monday, the authorities said . Animal attack: Martin County closes park trails after alligator bites bicyclist who fell on it, A 12-foot, 463-pound alligator was found on a Florida interstate: "He wasn't happy". 85-year-old Florida woman dead after alligator attacks while she walked her dog Corey Arwood Treasure Coast Newspapers 0:00 0:31 ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. An 85-year-old woman died following. News Alligator attack Alligator Tampa Florida. Don't turn and run, expert warns, according toThe National Wildlife Federation. In 2021, seven people received major bites and two received minor bites from alligators, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission. The alligator, which weighed between 270kg and 320kg, was caught and later euthanised. Anyone concerned about a nuisance alligator in Florida is asked to call the FWC's toll-free hotline at (866) 392-4286. Female alligators rarely exceed10 feet in length. They aren't the only run-ins people have had with the creatures. Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. "If you should be attacked, fight like your life depends on it because it does," Mazzoti said. Witnesses called 911 and firefighters recovered the woman's body from a pond. However, the study at the time cited the need for a "uniform reporting system among states" to get more complete information on alligator encounters. 2 min read. According to a November 2021 report from the FWC, there were seven major and three minor alligator bites in 2021. St. Lucie County Fire District spokesperson Brenda Stokes said fire rescue workers were sent to the 6700 block of Picante Circle at 12:07 p.m. Monday, Feb. 20, to recover a body. "Anywhere there is standing water, an alligator might be found," The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said in a statement to USA TODAY. The FWC said dog walkers should keep pets at least 10 feet from the water's edge to try and avoid attacks. Alligators are a common sight around Florida, although the number of attacks, especially fatal ones, is low. With a population of just under 48,000, it is the oldest city on the Treasure Coast. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern, indem Sie auf unseren Websites und Apps auf den Link Datenschutz-Dashboard klicken. What are the chances of being bitten by one? An 85-year old woman was attacked and killed by an alligator on Monday in Florida, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission confirmed in a statement to PEOPLE. In their statement to PEOPLE, the FWC said the organization "places the highest priority on public safety and administers a Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (SNAP) to address complaints concerning specific alligators believed to pose a threat to people, pets or property.". Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the family and friends of the victim, the commission said in a statement Monday. No one answered the door Tuesday or Thursday at Serges listed address on Aguila Avenue. The moments before a woman was attacked and killed by an alligator in Florida have been released after a birdwatching camera captured the horrific scene. Below are details about the alligator attack and what we know. CNN A Florida woman is recovering from injuries she received when she was attacked by a 10-foot, 4-inch alligator while trimming trees in Fort Myers. Witnesses told officials that Serge tried wrestling the dog away from the animal. Authorities recovered Serge, and a "contracted nuisance alligator trapper" captured and euthanized the large reptile, the official said. Wildlife officials investigate woman's death in 'alligator bite incident' at golf community, Officials recover body of toddler after attack at Disney resort, Florida has averaged eight unprovoked bites per year, 5 ways to avoid getting attacked or killed by a Florida alligator, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy, Be aware of the possible presence of alligators when in or near fresh or brackish water. The incident occurred at Spanish Lakes Fairways off Interstate 95, which boasts a dog park and 18-hole golf course along with shuffleboard, pickleball and tennis courts among its amenities on 435 total acres and over six bodies of water. Fatal alligator attack in Florida: 3 more gators removed from neighborhood after woman's death Spanish Lakes Fairways residents said the gator grabbed the woman's dog, and she struggled to get the . (Copyright (c) 2022 CNN. Terrifying ordeal from the neighbor who witnessed fatal alligator encounter, 'Alligator bite incident':Wildlife officials investigate woman's death at golf community. Then, the gator bit his leg. Alligator attacks in Florida represent the majority of alligator-related incidents nationally, but they're still exceedingly rare occurrences. A 43-year-old man was attackedby an alligatorand treated for a "serious injury in his arm" onJuly 20and a 34-year-old man was bit on his face during a swim in a Florida lake onAug. 4. The public may view the reports by going to WHDH.com and clicking on "FCC Public File", or by visiting the FCC's website at FCC.org. Florida alligator bite statistics date back to 1948, ranging around three major bites per year. Fort Pierce is home to an idyllic downtown, an award-winning farmers market and some of the most beautiful beaches and waterways in Florida. A nuisance alligator trapper was dispatched to St. Lucie County following the tragic incident, according to the FWC. It's about 120 miles from Orlando and roughly 130 miles north of Miami. From 1948 to 2021, 26 bites resulted in human fatalities. It goes on to explain the types of bites: "All bites reported are considered unprovoked bites. By registering, you agree to our T&C and Privacy Policy. An 85-year-old woman died Feb. 20 after an alligator grabbed her dog in a St. Lucie County community along Florida's East Coast. There is a condition, though. 'Walkers beware! Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you. I couldnt do anything. The nuisance alligator was brought under control by officer Manuel Orol in the Kendall area on Feb . PHOTOS: SCREENGRAB FROM TRAVEL BIRDS/YOUTUBE, horrifying alligator attack on an 85-year-old woman, Alligator kills 85-year-old woman walking her dog in Florida, Alligator kills Florida man retrieving frisbees in lake, officials say. "The dog did survive the incident.". Its just horrible, horrible. The dog survived the attack, according to WPTV 5. The incident unfolded Monday in a Fort Pierce, Florida, retirement community. Witnesses called 911 and firefighters recovered the woman's body . The gator has me: Horrifying video shows how alligator attack on 85-year-old in Florida unfolded, All done! Never remove an alligator from its natural habitat or accept one as a pet. "It was definitely a fight," nuisance alligator trapper Robert Lilly told WPTV 5. Never swim outside of posted swimming areas. You can induce a gator's gag reflex by jamming objects in the back of its mouth, and when it tries to reposition prey in its mouth, that's your chance to escape. I thought, well Ill put that out in the water and hook her or hit him, and she was not there anymore., Helpless, Ms Thomas could only wait. Workers stunned as four-foot alligator is hauled from Brooklyn's Prospect Park Lake, near where kids play Terrifying video captures the moment a 10-foot-long alligator lunges at an 85-year-old. A woman was killed in an alligator attack Monday in South Carolina,officials confirmed,in what has become an unusual year for alligator attacks. Males get much larger. Alligator bites can result in serious infection, and victims should seek immediate medical attention if bitten. The alligator weighed 600 to 700 pounds, WPTV reported. [We] snagged him on the bottom. Follow Jordan Mendoza on Twitter:@jordan_mendoza5. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Most alligators are naturally afraid of humans but may lose that fear when people feed them. Alligators are most active between dusk and dawn. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says licensed hunters remove over 1,000 nuisance alligators which are any ones deemeda "threat to pets, livestock or humans" a year, and attack reports in the state are usually just encounters. A video has emerged showing the moments before a 85-year-old Florida woman was fatally attacked by an alligator while walking her dog in a retirement community. Tags: Fort Pierce, Florida, alligator attack FORT PIERCE, Fla. - We're now hearing the chilling 911 call made after an elderly woman was attacked by an alligator Monday while walking her dog. Inside Edition has obtained video footage showing the terrifying moment a 10-foot-long alligator grabbed an 85-year-old Florida woman and killed her. NBC 6's Amanda Plasencia reports. Hitting or kicking the alligator or poking it in its eyes may cause it to release its grip. For reference, you have a better chance of getting attacked by a grizzly bear in Yellowstone National Park. We've received your submission. The Florida recordfor length is a 14 foot 3-1/2 inch male from Lake Washington in Brevard County. A Florida man is recovering after he was bitten on the head by an alligator while diving for shark teeth in the Myakka River. Homes in the . The alligator, which was approximately 10 feet long, was caught and euthanized, it added. Gloria Serge can be seen walking down the bank of a lake with her small dog just outside of Spanish Lakes Fairways. The incident took place at a 55-plus living community near the city of Fort Pierce, according to FOX 35 Orlando and local news station WPTV 5. Dispose of fish scraps in garbage cans at boat ramps and fish camps; do not throw them in the water. The FWC estimates that there are about 1.3 million alligators in Florida, and that the reptiles can be found in all 67 counties. Parker said dogs and cats can appear like an alligator's natural prey, prompting attacks. MIAMI - Chilling footage of Wednesdays horrifying alligator attack on an 85-year-old woman in the southern United States state of Florida has emerged on social media. According to a November 2021 report from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: In 2021, there were seven major and three minor alligator bites. The figures are the latest in which numbers are available and may not include incidents still under investigation.