Two separate alligator attacks occurred over the weekend in Central Florida, resulting in one death and one injury. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reported that a 31-year-old woman was killed on Sunday near Seminole County’s Little Big Econ State Forest. This incident followed an attack on Saturday in Marion County where a child sustained injuries after being bitten while fishing.
Incidents in Seminole and Marion Counties
The fatal attack occurred around 7:00 PM Sunday near the Barr Street Trailhead along the Econlockhatchee River. According to FWC, the woman was swimming with her boyfriend and a friend when an alligator attacked her in water approximately three feet deep. The animal snapped at both arms as her companion attempted to pull her free. She was transported to a nearby hospital but died from her injuries.
On Saturday, FWC responded to Nelson Fish Camp in Marion County after reports of a child being bitten on the hand while fishing from the shore. The child was treated for injuries at a local hospital. An FWC law enforcement officer euthanized the 8-foot-7-inch alligator involved in that incident.
Investigation and Historical Context
Fisheries officials noted that it is unclear why the Seminole County attack occurred, stating there was no evidence of malicious behavior toward the animal. The agency highlighted that late spring marks the end of mating season, a time when alligators become more territorial.
"We are coming into the end of mating season," FWC spokesman Chad Weber said. "Alligators become very territorial... It's really hard to speculate and pinpoint what the exact reason was."
The attacks occurred just weeks before the 10th anniversary of Lane Graves’ death at Walt Disney World in June 2016, one of Florida’s most infamous alligator incidents. That tragedy led Orange County to install additional warning signs at swimming holes and boat ramps.
Safety Recommendations for Residents
FWC data indicates that serious injuries from alligators are rare in Florida. Between 1948 and 2025, there were 346 unprovoked major attacks, with only 32 resulting in death. In 2025 alone, two people were killed across the state.
Officials urge residents to follow specific safety guidelines: keep a safe distance from alligators, leash pets away from water edges, and swim only in designated areas during daylight hours. Feeding alligators is illegal and dangerous as it alters their natural wariness of humans. For concerns about nuisance wildlife, the public can call FWC’s toll-free hotline at 866-392-4286.
