Florida Kills 2 Large Alligators After 31-Year-Old Woman Dies in River Attack

Q: Florida has 1.3 million alligators. How can you tell if one is lurking in your local waterway?

In Florida, the safest rule is to assume an alligator may be present in almost any natural or man-made freshwater body, and many brackish waterways as well. With roughly 1.3 million alligators spread across all 67 counties, wildlife officials say lakes, rivers, canals, retention ponds, marshes and even drainage ditches can hold them. You may spot one directly as a low, dark shape at the surface, with only its eyes and snout visible. At night or in dim light, a flashlight can reveal the orange-red “eyeshine” caused by the reflective layer in an alligator’s eyes. Tracks, slide marks on muddy banks, sudden movement at the shoreline, or repeated splashing can also signal one is nearby. Posted warning signs such as “Beware of Alligator” or “No Swimming” are another clear indicator. Timing matters. Alligators are most active from dusk to dawn and become more visible during mating season, which peaks in late spring and early summer. Wildlife officials say that is when they may roam into unexpected places and males can become more territorial. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission advises people to stay at least 30 feet away, never feed alligators, swim only in designated areas during daylight, and keep pets leashed and at least 10 feet from the water’s edge. If an alligator appears to pose a threat, report it to the FWC nuisance alligator hotline at 866-392-4286.

3 articles · Updated · WPEC · Jul 1

FWC said a 13-foot alligator at the attack site and a 12.5-foot alligator found about a half-mile away were captured and killed after 31-year-old Brittany Clark died from injuries suffered while swimming Sunday.
911 audio captured the urgency of the rescue effort as Clark's boyfriend reported catastrophic arm injuries and tried to pull her from the animal's jaws before responders reached the remote Seminole County river site.
A separate Central Florida attack a day earlier left a juvenile with a hand bite while fishing in Marion County; officers later killed an 8-foot-7-inch alligator tied to that incident.
FWC said both cases remain under investigation and stressed that serious alligator injuries are rare, while urging people to keep distance from waterways, leash pets and swim only in designated daytime areas.