Seminole County, Florida — A 31-year-old Orlando woman died after an alligator attacked her while she was swimming in the Econlockhatchee River at Little Big Econ State Forest, according to Florida wildlife officials.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said the woman had been hiking with others Sunday when the group stopped to swim in about 3 feet of water. Her boyfriend witnessed the attack and tried to pull her from the alligator’s mouth before she was taken to a hospital, where she died from her injuries.
Officials removed and euthanized two large alligators from the river, one about 12 feet long and another about 13 feet long. Both were sent for DNA testing as investigators work to determine which animal was involved.
The attack occurred during lower-than-usual water levels after a long drought, and officials said alligators may be more territorial near the end of mating season. FWC said alligators live in all 67 Florida counties and can be present in nearly any body of water.
Human attacks remain rare. The agency has reported an average of about eight unprovoked alligator bites per year and 26 fatalities in Florida since 1948. Officials urged residents and visitors to stay alert around freshwater areas.
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