An Orlando woman has died and a child was injured following two separate alligator attacks that occurred this weekend in Central Florida. According to confirmation from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the incidents took place on Saturday and Sunday, respectively, in Marion and Seminole counties.
Fatal incident in Seminole County
On Sunday afternoon, authorities responded to a call about an alligator bite near the Barr Street trail at Little Big Econ State Forest. The FWC reported that a 31-year-old woman was swimming with her partner and a friend when she was attacked while in water only three feet deep.
The reptile bit the victim's arms as her companion attempted to free her. She was transported to a nearby hospital, where she died from her injuries. Her identity has not yet been officially revealed; the FWC clarified that there is currently no evidence that people had mistreated the animal.
Attack in Marion County
Just one day earlier, the agency responded to another incident in Marion County. A boy was bitten on his hand while fishing from the shore at Nelson Fish Camp. The minor received hospital treatment and additional details about his current condition are not specified.
In this case, an FWC officer removed the 8-foot-7-inch alligator involved. In Sunday's incident, two reptiles were captured near the scene: one measuring 12 feet and another 13 feet, although it has not been determined which was responsible.
Regional context
These events occur just weeks after the tenth anniversary of Lane Graves' death at Walt Disney World. Serious attacks are rare; between 1948 and 2025, there were 346 unprovoked incidents resulting in major injuries.
We are reaching the end of mating season. Alligators become very territorial, so it is difficult to speculate on an exact reason.
— Chad Weber, FWC spokesperson
The agency recommends keeping a distance, not feeding reptiles, and swimming only in designated areas during the day.
