An Orlando woman has died and a child was injured following two separate alligator attacks in Central Florida this weekend, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). The fatal incident occurred on Sunday in Seminole County, while a non-fatal attack involving a minor took place on Saturday in Marion County. These events have prompted renewed safety warnings for residents and visitors enjoying local waterways.
Deadly Attack in Seminole County
The FWC reported that the 31-year-old woman was hiking with her boyfriend and a friend near the Barr Street Trailhead in Little Big Econ State Forest. The group stopped to swim in the Econlockhatchee River, where water depths were approximately three feet. According to agency investigators, an alligator attacked the woman while she was in the water, biting both arms as her companion attempted to pull her free.
She was transported to a nearby hospital but succumbed to her injuries. The FWC stated that two alligators, measuring 12 and 13 feet respectively, were captured near the scene, though it remains unclear if either animal is responsible for the attack. Investigation into the specific cause of the encounter is ongoing.
Child Injured in Marion County
The day prior to the Seminole County tragedy, FWC responded to a call regarding an alligator bite on a child in Marion County. The incident occurred at Nelson Fish Camp, where the child was fishing from the shore. The minor was taken to a local hospital for treatment of hand injuries.
FWC law enforcement officers euthanized the 8-foot-7-inch alligator involved in this separate incident. While serious injuries are statistically rare in Florida, these back-to-back events highlight the persistent risks associated with freshwater environments in Central Florida.
Safety Context and Historical Data
These attacks come just weeks after the 10th anniversary of the death of Lane Graves at Walt Disney World’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, one of Florida's most infamous alligator incidents. From 1948 to 2025, FWC data records 346 unprovoked major attacks in the state, with 32 resulting in fatalities.
The agency emphasizes that such events are rare but urges caution during mating season when alligators become more territorial. Officials recommend keeping a safe distance from wildlife, leashing pets away from water edges, and swimming only in designated areas during daylight hours. Feeding alligators remains illegal due to the danger it poses by altering their natural behavior.
