Florida is one of their favorite habitats, of course! The victim told Abo that he was trying to keep the alligator from pulling him into the water, and that if the nearly 10-foot animal rolled, a technique alligators use to harm prey, he would roll with it. As more people start to pile into the area, and beaches reopen, the fish kill will become a bigger problem. I think its pretty scary, Ill tell you that, said Elaine Smith, a customer service representative at Bank of the Islands. First, alligators are opportunistic eaters. The myth that they cant catch you if you run in a zig zag is not true. Alligator attacks have caused 24 deaths in Florida since 1973, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Just as we love all wild life on Sanibel, we love our gators. June 23, 2001: A 2-year-old girl wandered from her Winter Haven backyard to a nearby lake and was killed by a 6 1/2-foot alligator. Guide To Waterfront Dining. Man seriously injured after alligator attack on Sanibel, Tom Sizemore, 'Saving Private Ryan' star dies at 61. Among the fascinating animals and birds to observe is the mighty Alligator. 2023 Sanibel Holiday All rights reserved. Bryan Griffin was pulled under after friends repeatedly warned him to get out of the water. Not only was there a game, but college students showed up for a dunk contest. Copyright 2023 Waterman Broadcasting of Florida, LLC, Home News Local Man seriously injured after alligator attack on Sanibel. The Sanibel Police Department received a 911 call shortly after 11am after a man was bitten in a pond near a general store on the island.. June 18, 2003: A 12-year-old boy was fatally mauled by an alligator while swimming with friends at Palm Gardens Marina, about 35 miles northwest of Orlando. Abo has treated several alligator bites over the years, and commented on dangers of human-alligator run-ins. Do not allow pets to swim, exercise, or drink in waters that may contain alligators or in designated swimming areas with humans. I thought about whether to post this news or. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. It is also illegal. GatorBites Tail & Ale I think its up to the city of Sanibel to decide if their policy is appropriate and theyll take whatever action is necessary to protect the public.. 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. They rushed to the scene to help the wounded man. Greenstein said hes not worried Sanibel which depends heavily on tourism could become known as a dangerous place because of gators. Top 9 Beautiful Beaches On Sanibel & Captiva Island 2022, 19 Best Restaurants On Sanibel Island 2022: A Local's Guide, The Ultimate Local Guide To Shelling On Sanibel Island 2022, 1619 Periwinkle Way, Suite 104 They are a protected species and given the percentage of conservation land on the island are a common sight that is to be celebrated. Visit Gatorbites Website. A nearby alligator behaved aggressively toward the divers, and was trapped and euthanized. A woman who had worked on Sanibel for many years was attacked by an alligator while working. The construction can be seen all around, along with cranes, tools, and the crews doing all the work. Nov. 23, 2015: Brevard County deputies determined that Matthew Riggins, 22, was killed by an alligator in a Barefoot Bay lake while possibly hiding to avoid law enforcement. The alligator, found . A press release from the City of Sanibel stated the man was using the pond to wash his hands when the alligator bit his right arm. Animals in the region were disrupted by Hurricane Ian in September, and may have found new homes in unexpected places. Animals in the region were disrupted by Hurricane Ian in September, and may have found new homes in unexpected places. Murray and Adams say that people need to be aware of their surroundings, but as Adams said, even the trappers had a difficult time finding the gator in the pond where Olin was working. Small, tropical, inviting, it is easy to feel that there is not a worry in the world while vacationing on Sanibel. "But the gators are out here. It will be euthanized. All rights reserved, BSO Searching forMissing 11-Year-Old Girl From Pompano Beach, Miami-Dade Animal Services Temporarily Suspends Some Services Due to Bacterial Outbreak, Miami-Dade Mayor, State Attorney Announce New Measures to Protect HOA Residents, Check Your Change! His leg was severed. Tribal police divers found the body of Justo Antonio Padron, 36, the next afternoon, with alligator teeth marks on the upper torso. 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. They are native to Mexico, China, and the United States. As the gator tried to drag Melsek into the same small pond it came out of, she told rescuers to cut her arm off to help her get free. Janie Melsek Photo: The News-Press. After the gator was captured FWC's gator trappers gave Fox 4 a closer look at the gator that bit a man's arm. Robert Steele, 82, was killed by a 10 foot, 9 inch-long gator Sept. 11, 2001, near his house on Rabbit Road in Sanibel on Sept. 11, 2001. She later died of the wounds. The dog, Jazzy, was found abandoned in a hotel room in Orlando earlier this month, Orange County Animal Services said on Facebook. Alligators are most active between dusk and dawn. Officials were about ready to give up nearly two hours into the hunt for the gator. Their metabolism is very slow and they are not the ravenous monsters some think they are. Miami, FL 33141 Never let small children play by themselves near freshwater. By the beginning of April, when the weather starts to warm, alligators become active, feeding more, looking for new territories and mating. Alligators on Sanibel are very interesting creatures that have been roaming the earth since prehistoric times. Recently, an alligator in a pond on Sanibel Island attacked a man who was washing his hands in the water. Gators are common in Florida and Chief Barrett said they respond to these types of calls more often than you will think. Firefighters are battling several brush fires in Charlotte County; the one off McCall Road threatens several buildings, including a church. For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy, and Terms of Service. Newsroom: (305) 795-2777. The Truth About Alligators on Sanibel Island, The Best Sanibel Stories Come from Guests. 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. 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. She survived the attack but died later of an infection caused by the bite. They outlasted dinosaurs! The decorative pond is about the size of a swimming pool, said Sanibel Police Maj. Michael Murray. Contrary to popular belief, they have good eyesight and, their blind spot is in front of their nose. SANIBEL, Fla. A man was hospitalized after an alligator bit him on the arm. Luckily the man could pull himself free, but he lost a lot of blood. Janie Melsek, 54, was attacked Wednesday by the. It is the bite alone which is so full of bacteria that it kills by infection. "She kicked it and it let her go.". 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. No Collier County attacks are included on FWC's list of fatal alligator attacks. 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, Fla. (WSVN) Rescue teams saved a mans life after a harrowing alligator attack in Sanibel. The City of Sanibel | 800 Dunlop Road | Sanibel, FL 33957. A trapper later killed the alligator. 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. Why were all of a sudden having a problem if what weve had is a problem I dont know., Before returning to his chores in a thicket next to his house, Yetsko said he hopes Sanibel residents can continue to live in harmony with nature., I guess you can do it, he said. "All of a sudden a trapper saw it and hooked it. She heard a loud splash and when she turned around her son was gone. So let's set the record straight about these prehistoric looking creatures. Alligators On Sanibel Island - The SanCap Guide It's the sunshine state! People can expect to [], A family in Texas has finally been reunited with their dog that ran away seven years ago. Please do your part in protecting the Island's wildlife by not feeding alligators. Guide to Captiva Restaurants There are. My wife Lori and I have been running a successful photography business on the islands since 2000. About 50 yards from where Cardenas and her co-workers took a smoke, Andrew Myerson, 39, sat in a small clearing next to a creek where gators are seen so often that signs warn visitors that its against the law to feed them. They are native to Mexico, China, and the United States. There are several places to spot Alligators on Sanibel and, they are most active in the warmer months. "A landscaping woman was clearing out weeds in the decorative pond when she reached in and an alligator came up and grabbed her," Adams said. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The animal rescue said that she had arthritis and could barely walk when she was found. An alligator in a pond on Sanibel Island attacked a man who was washing his hands in the water. A 54-year-old landscaper, Melsek was attacked Wednesday by an alligator that was 11 feet, 9 inches long and weighed 457 pounds. 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. 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. Its the sunshine state! They outlasted dinosaurs! Early reports that the gator was about 4-feet-long proved wrong once trappers captured the critter. When the weather starts to warm, alligators become active, feeding more, looking for new territories and mating. The alligator,. Four of those deaths involve a child under age 5. They need to do something about it., Its unbelievable, said Rudder, 39. Name, age, sex Date . 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. If you encounter a nuisance alligator or see someone feeding an alligator, IMMEDIATELY CONTACT THE SANIBEL POLICE DEPARTMENT AT (239) 472-3111. According to Sanibel Fire the man was severely bitten but is expected to be okay. I am linking the report. Then vote no on solar amendment, Ray McNulty: Jim Kaat tells different side to Greg Norman's battle with Medalist Golf Club. She later died of the wounds. The gator reached up and grabbed his arm, Abo said. Alligator on the beach - Sanibel Island! Rubio hopes to rebound four months after loss, Guest commentary: Support solar in Florida? . Between poor water quality and damage from Hurricane Ian, this years wildlife surveys hold extra weight, and researchers are paying special attention to Floridas winter shorebird count. Nevertheless, the mayor believes the island will be open on January 2. SANIBEL, Fla. . According to Sanibel Fire Department, a 25-year-old man was attacked around 11:06 AM along a pond near Baileys General Store located at 2477 Periwinkle Way. The 9-foot-8-inch male alligator responsible for the attack was caught and destroyed. Laitham Haddad shared the video with Fort Myers NBC affiliate WBBH. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Come see htem for yourself and book your next Sanibel Holiday vacation. A pretty good size gatorabout 8 to 10 feet gator came up and grabbed him by the arm. Since alligators are cold-blooded reptiles, their metabolic rate increases and decreases as water and air temperatures fluctuate. Robert Steele, 82, was killed by a. Sometimes they will use a big hook, and a large piece of meat and throw it out there and catch him, Chief Barrett said. They pretty much lay in wait in fresh or brackish waters or on the edges of same for prey to come close by. They manage over 1200 acres of conserved land. If you see anything and the gators appear to be nuisance, call the Sanibel police. 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. Officials said the man was able to free himself and call 911. That gator was killed and another 6-foot gator was removed. An alligator was trapped and removed from the area. Sanibel contains over 2,200 acres of freshwater wetlands that provide habitat for a sizable population of alligators. Dog gets away safe after alligator lunges for it off Sanibel Causeway, Winds stoke brush fires and prompt evacuations across Southwest Florida, Fort Myers High School hosts annual unified basketball game, Public adjuster answers your hurricane-related property insurance questions, Long-term repairs to the Sanibel Causeway after Hurricane Ian, Alligator captured after seriously injuring man near pond in Sanibel, Working to get Sanibel beaches and businesses open after Ian, Dog found in Orlando reunited with Texas family 7 years after it ran away, What the number of winter shorebirds means for Florida, How bloodless open heart surgeries are performed, North Naples woman arrested after dog dies trapped in vehicle, After Hurricane Ian, Lee County reopening beach parks with free parking. Inform others that feeding alligators is illegal and creates problems for others who want to use the water for recreational purposes and ultimately results in the need to destroy the animal. Alligator attacks man who was washing hands in pond - Sun Sentinel The man was able to free himself and call 911, but sustained serious injury to his right forearm. Students, staff, family, and friends came together on Friday for the annual unified basketball game at Fort Myers High School. 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. Experts trapped the cold blooded animal with meat and lassoed it. 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. The man was able to free himself from the. It is during these times that alligator sightings are most prevalent. The alligator believed to be responsible was killed. There have been 22 fatalities attributed to alligator bites and attacks since 1973, records show. Closely supervise children when they are playing in or around water. It usually sat on the bank across the pond, she said. Around 2:00 in the afternoon first responders were able to get the alligator out of the pond. The man is taking antibiotics and needs to clean his wounds thoroughly and often. Stay 50 feet away from an Alligator, though they may seem lethargic, they can move fast and run up to 35 mph especially during the warmer summer months. You cant relocate them, he said. It is during these times that alligator sightings are most prevalent. 20351 Summerlin Rd, Fort Myers, FL 33908 Besides that, doctors said, hes going to be just fine. If you would like to watch t. If you see an alligator, the best thing to do is leave it alone. ", Contact Valli Finney at vallimfinney@yahoo.com, PHOTOS: County Commissioners square off at forum, Collier commission candidates clash over fracking. Feeding alligators is a criminal act, punishable with up to a $500 fine and 60 days in jail. If fishing, throw fish scraps away into trash cans, not the water. Never feed Alligators, this will cause them to lose their natural fear of humans and associate humans with food. 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. Steve Yetsko, 52, who lives around the bend from the house at 3061 Poinciana Circle where Melsek was working when she was attacked, was among those who ran to her aid. SANIBEL ISLAND, Fla. A monster alligator was spotted walking around a parking lot on Sanibel Island, Florida. Despite the frightening encounter, that man is expected to recover. Be aware of the possibility of alligator attacks when in or near fresh or brackish bodies of water. Nov. 8, 2007: A man who jumped into a lake to flee police at the Miccosukee Resort and Convention Center was killed by an alligator more than 9 feet long. It was evident that hed lost a lot of blood and potentially had other damage to his tendons, Abo said. Police Chief Bill Tomlinson said hes been asked to make a presentation on city policies and the alligator complaints the city has recorded. Sanibel Fires Division Chief Tim Barrett told Fox 4 that the alligator was between 8 and 10 feet long. Howsmon, 54, said the gator population needs to be thinned. At the last check, the victim is in the hospital but is expected to be okay. It never was a problem.. Pitts grabbed her smaller dog, and Honey was able to run away from the gator unscathed. SANIBEL ISLAND, Fla. -- Janie Melseks death Friday morning had many people on Sanibel talking about the same thing alligators. 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. Once endangered, alligators now number more than 1 million, state officials believe. Fifth, alligators can be lighting fast when they see you are in striking distance, 15 feet or less from them and the water. The cause of death was listed as "systemic inflammatory response syndrome." 1 Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources 2 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 3 Georgia Department of Natural Resources 4 South Carolina Department of Natural Resources 5 University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Wildlife Damage Management 6 Texas Parks and Wildlife Department . Crews said the victim was washing is hands in a pond. They were able to lure the animal in to range with meat, and eventually subdued it. We can tell you how to appreciate these mighty creatures safely, respectfully, and responsibly. According to the state Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Melsek was the 14th person to be killed by a gator in Florida since 1973. The 450-pound alligator was killed. An 11-foot alligator killed an elderly man walking his dog by a canal, biting off part of his leg in the third deadly alligator incident in Florida this year. May 10, 2006: The dismembered body of Yovy Suarez-Jimenez, 28, was found by construction workers in a canal in Broward County. The primary factor in the evaluation is determining the potential danger posed by an alligator or crocodile. A 54-year-old landscaper, Melsek was attacked Wednesday by an alligator that was 11 feet, 9 inches long and weighed 457 pounds. Despite a pretty gnarly bite, hes going to be OK, and his arm is going to be saved, Abdo told WSVN. Alligator on Sanibel Island - YouTube View from the wooden bridge that leads to Bowman's beach on Sanibel island View from the wooden bridge that leads to Bowman's beach on Sanibel. They attack somebody and they take them out and kill them. The City of Sanibel has established procedures for receiving alligator and crocodile complainants and handling nuisance alligators or crocodiles. Five years ago last week Sanibel Island landscaper Janie Melsek lost her life to complications from an alligator attack. 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. Were invading their territory. Murray said he doesn't recall any other Sanibel gator attacks on humans recently.