(3.7 m) alligator while working on landscaping along Poinciana Circle Sanibel, Florida. The man was able to free himself from the. 8:49 PM EST, Mon December 19, 2022 A A SANIBEL, Fla. A man was hospitalized after an alligator bit him on the arm. Observe and photograph alligators only from 30 feet or more away. "Actually the trappers were in there for a long time with hooks and we (law enforcement officials) were all standing there looking for the alligator," Adams said. A 12-foot alligator had been spotted in the lake twice the day before his body was found, forcing the park to close temporarily each time. I thought about whether to post this news or. Pitts grabbed her smaller dog, and Honey was able to run away from the gator unscathed. Do not swim outside of posted swimming areas or in waters that might be inhabited by large alligators. The attack happened on the 2400 block of Periwinkle Way around 11:00 am. 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July 15, 2005: An alligator more than 12 feet long grabbed 41-year-old Kevin Murray by the arm as he swam in Apollo Waterway and pulled him underwater as neighbors watched. The alligator, found . The 450-pound alligator was killed. John C. Goede: Can changes be made to common areas without members' approval? Do not let your small pets, such as dogs drink from or swim in, freshwater. FWCs gator trappers gave us a close up of the gator after it was captured. They outlasted dinosaurs! Please do your part in protecting the Island's wildlife by not feeding alligators. To have it end this way is just so sad.. Its the sunshine state! There are several places to spot Alligators on Sanibel and, they are most active in the warmer months. His mother told authorities he had been standing in knee-deep water picking water lilies for her. Please do your part in protecting the Island's wildlife by not feeding alligators. Alligator attacks have caused 24 deaths in Florida since 1973, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Many people were calling for city officials to do something about the reptiles that have attacked three people on Sanibel since September 2001, killing two of them. A fish kill is filling up the water in Southwest Florida. A woman's service dog had a near death experience when an alligator lunged for it off the Sanibel Causeway recently. It is the bite alone which is so full of bacteria that it kills by infection. You cant relocate them, he said. The first 911 call, from Olin's co-worker, came at 11:18 a.m. "It wasn't really that big and it wasn't that deep," Murray said of the pond. When fed, alligators lose their natural fear and learn to associate people with food. But its now something Pitts says she is wary of and wants others to be aware of too. The man was able to free himself from the. A 54-year-old landscaper, Melsek was attacked Wednesday by an alligator that was 11 feet, 9 inches long and weighed 457 pounds. The cause of death was listed as systemic inflammatory response syndrome.. Sept. 11, 2001, 82-year-old Robert Steele had his leg severed and bled to death when he was attacked by a 10-foot alligator while walking his dog by a Sanibel Island canal. Authorities shot the alligator after Okkerse's body was found. Sometimes they will use a big hook, and a large piece of meat and throw it out there and catch him, Chief Barrett said. SANIBEL, Fla. A man is in the hospital after an alligator bit him Thursday morning on Sanibel Island, and according to Florida's Fish and Wildlife, the gator will be put to sleep. What's happening to turtle nests along Naples' beaches? If an Alligator is chasing you RUN STRAIGHT. "The trappers are saying maybe three or four foot (deep).". They will not be wandering the streets and beaches looking for a bite to eat. They were able to lure the animal in to range with meat, and eventually subdued it. The attack occurred at a pond near 2477 Periwinkle Way, which abuts Frannies Preserve, a forested area with hiking trails, and a few blocks south of J.N. "But hes a pretty tough old boy. The. Florida Fish and Wildlife and a Florida State trapper arrived on the scene to capture the alligator, according to the City of Sanibel. Jeannie Pitts was throwing the frisbee with her dog, Honey, when a gator. The toddler, from Nebraska, was vacationing. 20351 Summerlin Rd, Fort Myers, FL 33908 A photo of the aftermath of the attack is so graphic we had to blur it, but with a closer . ***Christmas Light Footage was recorded in January 2021 from Tween Waters Resort. The alligator believed to be responsible was killed. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, where alligators are often sighted, according to the Sanibel Captiva Guide. Expect sustained winds between ten to twenty miles per hour, with wind gusts as strong as thirty []. The singular exception may be the presence of alligators, and you will see signs warning about them posted throughout the Island. Never feed Alligators, this will cause them to lose their natural fear of humans and associate humans with food. What do we expect?. She later died of the wounds. Chamber Executive Director Steve Greenstein insisted that wasnt true. SANIBEL, Fla. (WSVN) Rescue teams saved a mans life after a harrowing alligator attack in Sanibel. Police Chief Bill Tomlinson said hes been asked to make a presentation on city policies and the alligator complaints the city has recorded. They are often spotted on Sanibel (though rarely on Captiva) which is a wonderful habitat for them as much as it is a great vacation spot for us! Lauri Olin, 56, of Rabbit Road on Sanibel, was working for Wilson Landscape and Pond when a 6-foot, 7-inch gator grabbed her hand while she worked at 5206 Punta Caloosa Court, said Officer Joanne Adams, a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokeswoman. Janie Melsek, 54, was attacked Wednesday by the. Theyre just being alligators. "She kicked it and it let her go.". A photo of the aftermath of the attack is so graphic we had to blur it, but with a closer look, you can see the reason the man in this photo is still alive. It is during these times that alligator sightings are most prevalent. Twenty-five of those attacks were fatal, including two in Lee County both on Sanibel Island in 2001 and 2004. She had toxic levels of alcohol and an anti-depression drug in her body, and authorities believed she was attacked on land and dragged into the canal. The man was washing his hands in a pond in Sanibel, Florida, at around 11 a.m. on Thursday when the alligator bit him, the city said in a statement. She died at 9:15 a.m. Friday during surgery at Lee Memorial Hospital as doctors tried to combat the infection that spread through her body. Sanibel Island is currently closed to non-residents, with the exception of first responders and recovery workers, as local authorities continue storm cleanup. United States - sad news of an Alligator attack on Sanibel - A woman who had worked on Sanibel for many years was attacked by an alligator while working. So he wants everyone to remember to be cautious. Sept. 11, 2001, 82-year-old Robert Steele had his leg severed and bled to death when he was attacked by a 10-foot alligator while walking his dog by a Sanibel Island canal. March 11, 2005: Donald Ray Owen, 56, was found dead in Six Pound Pond near Lakeland in Polk County with multiple alligator bites and the left arm amputated below the elbow. Since many of the residential neighborhoods on the Island contain lakes or interface with conservation lands containing wetlands, interaction between humans and alligators is likely. The J.N Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge is 6,400 Acres of preserved and undeveloped mangrove ecosystem land. She later died in surgery from an infection acquired from being in the water . Latest News Updates for Sanibel Island & SWFL. The City of Sanibel and its authorized agents are authorized to receive and appropriately . Sheriff's divers recovered his body with injuries consistent with an alligator attack nine days after he was reported missing by his girlfriend, who said he told her he was going to commit burglaries. A woman who had worked on Sanibel for many years was attacked by an alligator while working. They rushed to the scene to help the wounded man. Medical professionals applied a commercial-grade tourniquet and took the man to a hospital. I think its pretty scary, Ill tell you that, said Elaine Smith, a customer service representative at Bank of the Islands. Authorities confirmed that the victim was from Arkansas and was a construction worker focused on recovery from Hurricane Ian, which decimated the area in September. The alligator dragged her into a pond, tearing at her right arm so severely that part of it was later amputated, and rescuers saved her from the reptile's jaws in what was described as a fierce "tug-of-war.". An alligator is seen during a kayak tour near Everglades City on Dec. 2. Third, during winter months, alligators are lethargic and pretty much just lay around. They did say the gator will be put asleep. If you see an alligator, the best thing to do is leave it alone. Just as we love all wild life on Sanibel, we love our gators. It never was a problem.. Harrity couldnt be reached for comment. Fourth, most deaths by alligators are not from blood loss or even from drowning. - A professional landscaper died Friday after being mauled by a 12-foot alligator that dragged her into a pond and nearly tore off one of her arms. nature trails to explore and a huge wildlife refuge. J.N Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge There are often Alligator spottings on the Indigo trail/Wildlife drive, keep your eyes open for groups of people huddled around staring, this is usually a sign of a Gator spotting! Police just captured the gator that bit a mans arm on Sanibel Island. My wife Lori and I have been running a successful photography business on the islands since 2000. SANIBEL ISLAND, Fla. -- Janie Melseks death Friday morning had many people on Sanibel talking about the same thing alligators. Experts trapped the cold blooded animal with meat and lassoed it. At least four people have been killed in alligator incidents this year in the U.S., two in Florida. Robert Steele, 82, was killed by a. They need to do something about it., Its unbelievable, said Rudder, 39. Rubio hopes to rebound four months after loss, Guest commentary: Support solar in Florida? They are native to Mexico, China, and the United States. There are many misconceptions about Alligators but they are still dangerous and as humans, we have to behave, Forgotten Sanibel Recipe Lemon Pecten Cakes, Local Sanibel Artist Rachel Pierce Hurricane Ian & Pop Up Shops, Sanibel Bailey Tract Trails & Meditation Hike! Campbell was a Tennessee visitor who was snorkeling in a secluded recreation area. Jane C. Keefer, 74, of Sanibel, was attacked April 21 by a gator in the yard of her Blue Heron Drive home. According to the City of Sanibel, the Sanibel Police Department received a 911 call just after 11 a.m. about an adult man who an alligator had bitten in a pond adjacent to Baileys General [], Sanibel took a beating during Ian, and many people think it will be years before the island will ever be close to what it once was. According to officers, the man was washing his hands in the pond when the alligator attacked.. Murray said it was skinny for an alligator. Janie Melsek Photo: The News-Press. So it wouldve been devastating, so Im just happy that it turned out the way that it did, and I just want to let other people know that theyre actually there right off the causeway, and that, you know, for people to be careful.. She died at 9:15 a.m. Friday during surgery at Lee Memorial Hospital as doctors tried to combat the infection that spread through her body. Once endangered, alligators now number more than 1 million, state officials believe. Around 2:00 in the afternoon first responders were able to get the alligator out of the pond. She fought back and survived after being treated at a hospital. Animals in the region were disrupted by Hurricane Ian in September, and may have found new homes in unexpected places. All content Copyright 2000 - 2023 WSVN-TV. Switchboard: (305) 751-6692 Alligators on Sanibel are very interesting creatures that have been roaming the earth since prehistoric times. We quickly became acquainted with everything Sanibel & Captiva have to offer. But neither you nor your dog should approach the edges of fresh or brackish bodies of water as the enticement is great, but the risk is even greater. Sanibel Island is an incredible place to experience nature. Weve had too many attacks recently, I think, said Smith, 62. The gator weighed 100 pounds, but its sex was not immediately determined. The tourniquet was lifesaving. Besides that, doctors said, hes going to be just fine. see crocodiles in an area called Flamingo in the Everglades that's located pretty far out of the way.. Howsmon, 54, said the gator population needs to be thinned. She suffered a broken thumb and gashes on a leg. Although you are not intentionally feeding alligators when you do this, the end result can be the same. Early reports that the gator was about 4-feet-long proved wrong once trappers captured the critter. If you encounter a nuisance alligator or see someone feeding an alligator, IMMEDIATELY CONTACT THE SANIBEL POLICE DEPARTMENT AT (239) 472-3111. If you encounter a nuisance alligator or see someone feeding an alligator, IMMEDIATELY CONTACT THE SANIBEL POLICE DEPARTMENT AT (239) 472-3111. Florida is one of their favorite habitats, of course! No Collier County attacks are included on FWC's list of fatal alligator attacks. 9 years ago Save Actually, Sanibel has a gator population estimated at about 300-350 gators, mostly due to the fact 65% of the island is protected conservation land and there are numerous small lakes and ponds for them to live in. Sanibel Island, Florida 33957 GatorBites Tail & Ale Yetsko and his wife, Donna Yetsko, 51, were doing yard work of their own Friday when they learned Melsek had died. It was the state's first such fatal attack since 2007. Michelle Braun 13 subscribers Subscribe 625 views 1 year ago After a fun day at the beach, many of us were relaxing under our umbrellas; taking in the. SANIBEL ISLAND, Fla. A monster alligator was spotted walking around a parking lot on Sanibel Island, Florida. There is a huge commitment to conservation and the Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) is the largest, private landowner on the island. A trapper later killed the alligator. An alligator is seen during a kayak tour near Everglades City on Dec. 2. Robert Steele, 81 . There were three in the truck, but the one from the attack is the biggest one. When the weather starts to warm, alligators become active, feeding more, looking for new territories and mating. SANIBEL, Fla. . It was evident that hed lost a lot of blood and potentially had other damage to his tendons, Abo said. Murray said he doesn't recall any other Sanibel gator attacks on humans recently. Sadly, there was a time they almost became extinct. Smith had known Melsek, who was a bank customer, for 23 years. Greenstein said hes not worried Sanibel which depends heavily on tourism could become known as a dangerous place because of gators. Sept. 26, 2004: Georgia college student Michelle Reeves, 20, drowned after an alligator bit off part of her right arm while she apparently went skinny-dipping in a lake in Fort Myers. A womans service dog had a near death experience when an alligator lunged for it off the Sanibel Causeway recently. Youve got to be careful., Turf Masters Brands expands with recent acquisitions, Project EverGreen receives $50,000 matching grant from MEDC, Schill Grounds Management promotes 4 to senior positions, Schill Grounds Management acquires GrassCor, SavATree merges with Lyndon Tree Care & Landscaping. Among the fascinating animals and birds to observe is the mighty Alligator. Then vote no on solar amendment, Ray McNulty: Jim Kaat tells different side to Greg Norman's battle with Medalist Golf Club. I am linking . Please keep the following tips in mind to ensure the time you spend on Sanibel does not result in a conflict with an alligator: Feeding alligators is a criminal act, punishable with up to a $500 fine and 60 days in jail. They outlasted dinosaurs! They are often spotted on Sanibel (though rarely on Captiva) which is a wonderful habitat for them as much as it is a great vacation spot for us, They are a protected species and given the percentage of conservation land on the island are a common sight that is to. WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports | Fort Lauderdale, Coral Gables resident still refuses to sell decades-old home surrounded by massive development, Broward County pastor faces several fraud, grand theft charges after defrauding church, Gunman dead after hours-long SWAT standoff at SW Miami-Dade apartment complex, Police: Man fatally shot 3-year-old son, himself inside Coconut Grove condo, Police arrest student who made false bomb threat at Dillard High School; classes resume. He was taken to an area hospital; his current condition is unknown at this time. Police shot the reptile to death before rushing Melsek to Lee Memorial Hospital in Fort Myers. Re: Snakes or alligators on Captiva? Their metabolism is very slow and they are not the ravenous monsters some think they are. High temperatures will climb into the 80s and low 90s under mostly sunny skies. Poor Janie is the one who had to suffer for it.. Olin was taken to HealthPark Medical Center in Fort Myers for appropriate treatment, to include antibiotics to ward off any infection. The 2-year-old Nebraska boy snatched by an alligator at a lake. Fatality Rate: Alligator Attacks = 4.3% Shark Attacks = 1.5%. The construction can be seen all around, along with cranes, tools, and the crews doing all the work. Beaches remain closed on the island without boardwalks, and debris is scattered everywhere.