Two separate alligator attacks occurred over the weekend in Central Florida, resulting in one death and another injury. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reported that a 31-year-old woman was killed on Sunday near the Econlockhatchee River in Seminole County. This incident followed an attack on Saturday in Marion County where a child was bitten while fishing.
Tragedy at Little Big Econ State Forest
The fatal attack took place just one day after the injury in Marion County. According to FWC, the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office and wildlife officials responded to reports of an alligator bite near the Barr Street Trailhead in Little Big Econ State Forest. The victim was hiking with her boyfriend and a friend when they stopped to swim.
Authorities stated that the woman was attacked while swimming in water only three feet deep. Her arms were snapped by the gator as her companion attempted to free her. She was transported to a nearby hospital but died from her injuries. As of Monday afternoon, officials had not released her identity.
Safety Concerns and Historical Context
FWC spokesman Chad Weber noted that investigators have found no evidence suggesting the group acted maliciously toward the alligator. "We are coming into the end of mating season," Weber said. "Alligators become very territorial, so it's any number of things." Two alligators were captured near the scene, measuring 12 and 13 feet long, though it remains unclear if either was responsible for the attack.
These incidents serve as a reminder that while serious injuries are rare in Florida, the danger is ever-present. From 1948 to 2025, there were 346 unprovoked major attacks recorded by FWC data, with 32 resulting in death. In 2025 alone, two people were killed and eight suffered major injuries.
The recent events also mark the ten-year anniversary of the death of Lane Graves at Walt Disney World’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. That incident led Orange County to install more warning signs at swimming holes and boat ramps regarding alligators and snakes.
FWC Safety Recommendations
The FWC continues to emphasize safety measures for residents and visitors in Central Florida. Officials recommend keeping a safe distance from any gator seen, leashing pets away from water edges, and swimming only in designated areas during daylight hours without pets.
Alligators are most active between dusk and dawn. Feeding an alligator is illegal and dangerous, as it can cause them to lose their natural wariness of humans. For concerns about nuisance gators, the public is urged to call FWC’s toll-free Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-392-4286.
