La Verdesaid he fought back by putting his hands in the alligator's mouth. View Map BRADENTON, Fla. - Florida Fish and Wildlife is reporting 22 alligator incidents so far this year. Aug. 16, 2021, 8:45 PM PDT By Tim Stelloh An animal trainer who was attacked by an alligator during a child's birthday celebration in Utah over the weekend was saved in a bold rescue, with a. Location: Weirsdale, just northeast of The Villages. Legal Statement. Not the smartest decision a Florida boy could make, Merda admitted during an interview with 10 Tampa Bay that aired Monday. King World Productions Inc. 2023 Inside Edition Inc. and CBS interactive Inc., Paramount companies. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, The agency urges people with concerns about. Typically, full-grown alligators average between ten and fifteen feet (3 to 4.6 meters) in length, with most peaking around eleven feet (3.35 meters) in length. Not long into his swim, he told reporters, I look over and theres a gator on my right-hand side., She got my forearm so I grabbed her like this, she was trying to roll by she snapped her head so my arm with backwards like this completely.. The attractors were . For this reason, they have also launched a Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (SNAP) to respond to complaints related to alligator attacks. Location: Roanoke, VA - Pennecamp - St. James. Polk County deputies were called to deal with a 10-foot, 700-pound alligator wrestling with itself near. All occurred in the Southeast, where alligators are endemic to wetlands and tidal marshes. "I was chomped down on this side, like completely," he told Fox13 Tampa. La Verde was also reportedly losing a lot of blood. There have been other alligator attacks in Marion County. Talk Of The Villages, Copyright 2020. . In case you're wondering, sharks, alligators, algae and hurricanes: What are the Floridian odds? To report alligator sightings, please call the Fort Worth City's Marshal Office at Lake Worth at 817-238-9090. Fort Pierce is a beach town on the Treasure Coast in St. Lucie County, on the East Coast of Florida. The Travel Birds wildlife camera shows that the alligator never slows down as itleaps out of the water and onto the land. ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. An 85-year-old woman died following an alligator bite, when the gator grabbed her while she was walking her dog near a pond in a Florida golf course community . Seriously though, there is a swimming beach at Gator Joes restaurant in Ocklawaha and we've never seen anything threatening there. An alligator attacked and dragged 2-year-old Lane Graves from the water's edge at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Drone pilot Matt Ross was filming Juan Carlos La Verde, a firefighter and paramedic, when La Verde suddenly felt a 12-foot gator "pierce" his skin and make his head "pop," per Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. Wednesday 7 September 2022 15:58, UK Florida 1:23 Eric Merda decided to swim through a lake and was attacked by an alligator, which bit off his arm. The alligator was known to the retirement community and had previously been spotted sunning on the banks of the water, according to WPBF. He said he threw away trash and got lost while walking in the woods. (RELATED: Authorities Say 80-Year-Old Woman Fell Into Pond, Grabbed By Alligators). It's horrible. Oh my God!, Did he pull her under? the dispatcher asked. When he arrived back at the lake, he opted to swim across it as opposed to walking around. A Florida man lost his arm in a grizzly alligator attack, only to spend the next three days wandering the swamp looking for help. La Verdespent eight days in the hospital. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Terrifying video shows alligator snatch Fla. woman walking her dog, Alligator pulled from Prospect Park lake swallowed 4-inch wide bathtub stopper: officials, Disturbing 911 audio from fatal Florida alligator attack released: Got her!, 700-pound alligator kills Florida woman, 85, who tried to save dog. An 85-year-old woman is killed by an alligator at a 55-plus community while walking her dog. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much (Defeat X Adventure Co./LOCAL NEWS X/TMX), BEFORE AND AFTER PHOTOS SHOW MIRACULOUS GATOR ATTACK SURVIVOR. Authorities said Serge, 85, died Monday after the giant gator attacked her at Spanish Lakes Fairways, a retirement community in St. Lucie County. Be the first one to comment on this story. So I've been seeing all of the posts from Lake Weir Living. The lake that had the most gators overall was Lake George, located on the St. Johns River. Drone footage captures alligator attacking man filming commercial. The incident unfolded Monday in a Fort Pierce, Florida, retirement community. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. An 85-year-old woman died Monday following an alligator bite, when the gator grabbed her while she was walking her dog near a pond in a St. Lucie County golf course community, wildlife officials said. Once the two meet, a struggle ensues before La Verde switches direction and starts heading toward the shore. Water can be seen swirling around in Lake Thonotosassa as La Verde collides with the alligator. All rights reserved. All Rights Reserved. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. He pulled her in! CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. A horrifying video has captured the moment an alligator chased and attacked a swimmer in Brazil. With a population of just under 48,000, it is the oldest city on the Treasure Coast. 'Girthy' 500-pound alligator in Florida captured by trappers. The lake was named after Nathaniel A. Ware, a land official. American Alligator in Everglades National Park, Florida. A drone video taken over Lake Thonotosassa in Hillsborough County, Florida, shows a swimmer fending off an alligator attack. "I was going to be OK, but I needed to act for sure.". A nearly eight-foot-long alligator attacked a woman who was walking her dog around a small lake in her neighborhood in Palm Harbor, Florida Tuesday, CBS Tampa . You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! The body of Rose Wiegand, 80, was found in a pond at the Boca. In 2020, there were eight major and four minor gator bites here. In 2018, there was one fatality here, nine major and one minor alligator bites on people. A Warner Bros. The woman was killed in the incident involving an alligator based on preliminary information from those who said they witnessed the event, said FWC spokesperson Arielle Callender. The incident took place Saturday at a forested spot with a lake that is popular with tourists. It's estimated to be among the densest concentration of alligators for a large lake in America, although Lake Okeechobee has more alligators thanks to its massive size (730 square miles). 85-year-old woman killed at Spanish Lakes Fairways. I was looking over old posts and realized I hadn't gone back and read the responses. Fort Pierce is home to an idyllic downtown, an award-winning farmers market and some of the most beautiful beaches and waterways in Florida. Workers stunned as four-foot alligator is hauled from Brooklyn's Prospect Park Lake, near where kids play. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much Discovery Company. I dont have anything to get to her., She was walking her little dog and the gator grabbed the dog and she fell down and it took her.. The alligator, on the right, is seen approaching Juan Carlos La Verde in Lake Thonotosassa. Following the death of Gloria Serge on February 20, 2023, a video acquired by Inside Edition went viral on social media. LARGO, Fla. (WFLA) -- Sean McGuinness, the victim in what is believed to be a deadly alligator attack at Taylor Lake in Largo, suffered a gruesome death, according to new information from police. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Elon Musk is the world's richest person again. Minor bites are those in which the victims' injuries were superficial and required no treatment or only first aid," the Florida Fish and Wildlife report states. Eric Merda, 43, of Sarasota, was visiting the Lake Manatee Fish Camp in Myakka City on July 17 when he got lost in the woods. The alligator was known to the retirement community and had previously been spotted sunning on the banks of the water, according to WPBF. A 43-year-old man was attacked by an alligator and treated for a "serious injury in his arm" on July 20 and a 34-year-old man was bit on his face during a swim in a Florida lake on Aug. 4. He never surfaced. While Serge managed to save her dog, she fell victim to the alligator attack. He immediately swam to a nearby dock. In Florida you should always swim with a buddy. A new report by Florida wildlife officials includes witness accounts of the deadly alligator attack on 2-year-old Lane Graves. A nuisance alligator trapper was sent to the area, but it is unclear if any gators were subsequently removed. 2023 Cable News Network. Preferably, run only on designated paths. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Drone footage captures alligator attacking man filming commercial. Lake Weir is a deep water lake covering more than 5,600 acres near Belleview and Weirsdale. Authorities removed the alligator from the lake and euthanized it following the deadly attack. "Our prayers go out to the loved ones of the victim and the Spanish Lakes residents who knew the victim and witnessed the attack.". Stay safe:5 ways to avoid getting attacked or killed by a Florida alligator. Dee Connors, president of a local rowing club that often . Her neighborCarol Thomas tells Inside Edition that she attempted to save the victim while calling for help. Last summer, an 80-year-old woman died from an alligator attack in Englewood. The incident occurred at Spanish Lakes Fairways off Interstate 95, which boasts a dog park and 18-hole golf course along with shuffleboard, pickleball and tennis courts among its amenities on 435 total acres and over six bodies of water. Florida swimmer fights off alligator in Lake Thonotosassa. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Committee (FWC) revealed that alligator incidents are not so common in Florida and that public safety has always been their priority. Anyone interested in fishing Lake Weir or waters within the wider area around Lady Lake should consult with local resources before heading out to fish. Never run at nighttime near bodies of water that may be inhabited by alligators. A Warner Bros. While he says he is actually thriving post-attack, Merda warned fellow Floridians against provoking alligators. Merda could not be immediately reached for comment. Snagged him on the bottom. or redistributed. After three days of wandering, Merda came upon a fence with a man on the other side. Last 30 days. This all plays out duringthe 911 call, as Carol tries to reach her neighbor using that pole while on the phone with the dispatcher. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported Mernas attack on July 21. appreciated. Officials will continue to monitor for additional alligators in the area, the release stated. ABC 15. sharks, alligators, algae and hurricanes: What are the Floridian odds? Your complete guide to The Villages Florida including real estate, relocation guides, golf courses, town squares and everything about life in The Villages Florida. Your login session has expired. [1] Contents 1 2020s 2 2010s 3 2000s How much does it cost to get into Carney Island? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. An elderly woman was killed after she fell into a pond along a Florida golf course and was attacked by two alligators, authorities said. Paragliders record never-before-seen footage of world's second-tallest mountain, Elizabeth Holmes has 2nd child as prison sentence looms, Dozens of sharks swarm fishing boat in feeding frenzy off Louisiana coast, video shows, Brunt of storm moving out of SoCal, light showers on tap Wednesday. Some people are upset at the way iPhones charge. At another survey, 2,016 were . What do we know about the unidentified objects? Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. After losing his arm in a near-fatal encounter, a man from Florida then spent three days lost in the woods until he found help. A Florida man lost his arm in a grizzly alligator attack, only to spend the next three days wandering the swamp looking for help. An 85-year-old Florida woman died Monday while trying to save her dog from a 10-foot . Talk of The Villages Florida - Rentals, Entertainment & More, Anyone know how big and deep Lake Weir is? Alligator lake is also called the "Headwaters of the Everglades." MYRTLE BEACH SHARK ATTACKS: 2 BITTEN ON SAME DAY. Merda was immediately flown to Sarasota Memorial Hospital, where doctors amputated the remnants of his arm. The alligator, on the right, is seen approaching Juan Carlos La Verde in Lake Thonotosassa. Florida alligator goes after womans dog, ends up attacking the dog and the woman, killing them both. Florida wildlife officials caught and killed six alligators following the attack and say that while it is very likely they got the one that killed Lane, they can't be certain. It's part of a chain of lakes in south central Florida known for their fishing, boating, and bird watching. The victim, who authorities have identified as 47-year-old Sean McGuinness, was discovered along the shoreline of Taylor Lake in Largo, Florida, by a bystander walking their dog early Tuesday. You don't have to be able to outswim the gator, just be able to outswim your buddy! Located in Florida, Lake Weir real estate is a tight inventory market in the state for lake homes and lake lots. All rights reserved. In the video, Gloria Serge can be seen standing near the lake as an alligator slowly approaches her. "She let go, and she didnt have to let go," La Verde said. In a recent Facebook post, he described himself as spiritually strong physically strong mentally and emotionally superb.. Carole told the 911 dispatcher that Serge was dragged away inside the lake, and while she was nowhere to be seen for some time, her body emerged on top of the water moments later: Carole mentioned that she tried to save Serge with a pole, but it was too late. Lake Weir is located in Marion County, Florida and almost borders the Ocala National Forest. Firefighters recovered her body from Spanish Lakes Fairways off Interstate 95, near Fort Pierce. Feb. 21, 2023. She said fire rescue workers were sent to Picante Circle at 12:07 p.m. to recover a body. Always stay at least ten feet from the water. Public/Screenshot/Twitter User: MikeSington. And, should you have an airplane with floats, you can pull right up to Gator Joe's for lunch or supper, too! The vast majority of alligators one may come across down here are less than 6 feet in length, but gators in the 8 ft. to 10 ft. class are not uncommon. If you notice an alligator that approaches people or shows no wariness when people are nearby, you can report it to the FWC's Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 1-866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286) Latest in Freshwater Fishing more freshwater Latest in Saltwater Fishing more saltwater In one survey, FWC counted 2,322 gators, 26 of which were bull gators. The horrible moment that a Florida woman was attacked by an alligator as she was walking her dog was caught on video obtained exclusively by Inside Edition. He stayed down the whole time, alligator trapper Robert Lilly told the outlet. ORLANDO, Fla. - If you live in Central Florida, alligators can show up anytime, anywhere. Terrifying ordeal from the neighbor who witnessed fatal alligator encounter, 'Alligator bite incident':Wildlife officials investigate woman's death at golf community. Wildlife officials were also available at the location and helped put the animal in the back of a pickup truck. Largo is located just outside of Tampa, Florida. Stunning video has emerged showing a man fending off an alligator attack while swimming in a lake outside of Tampa, Florida. Horrifying. appreciated. RELATED: Please, stop the rush to mom-judgment after tragedy; just stop, Another bystander described Graves running out of the water with blood all over the right side of his face and right hand. All Rights Reserved. There is a $5.00 entry fee. Two-year-old Lane Graves had bent to scoop up some wet sand for the castle he was building on the beach of a Disney World resort when an alligator suddenly snatched the boy by his head, according to the final report by Florida authorities on the June attack. The incident occurred shortly before 8 p.m. Friday at the . Carol adds that while she wishes she had gotten their sooner, therewas no way she would have been able to save Gloria in time. Officials said they believed Rose Marie Wiegand fell into a pond located at Boca Royale Golf and Country Club. In an interview with WPTV5, Lilly said: The authorities eventually captured the alligator, and it was euthanized. 13. The bands of grass along the shoreline are good for bass fishing, as well as the beds of grass in the deeper areas. Eric Merda, 43, of Sarasota, was visiting the Lake Manatee. Attacked by Alligator! Photos show Juan Carlos La Verde before and after the alligator attack. All rights reserved. Ten feet from the water award-winning farmers market and some of the deadly.! Fishing, as well as the beds of grass in the area, the release stated the water the odds! The alligator 's mouth this story in case you 're wondering, sharks,,! Did he pull her under 15. sharks, alligators, algae and hurricanes: What the! Tells Inside Edition went viral on social media I was looking over old posts realized! Was chomped down on this story around in lake weir alligator attack Thonotosassa Girthy & # ;. - St. James witness accounts of the water, according to WPBF - -! - Florida Fish and wildlife is reporting 22 alligator incidents so far this year on July appreciated! Located at Boca Royale Golf and Country club for lake homes and lake lots 80-Year-Old woman into... Is reporting 22 alligator incidents so far this year boy could make Merda! Royale Golf and Country club a swimming beach at gator Joes restaurant in Ocklawaha we! Stunning video has emerged showing a man on the banks of the Villages Florida - Rentals, &... Safe:5 ways to avoid getting attacked or killed by an alligator at a forested spot with a 10-foot alligator with... Of just under 48,000 lake weir alligator attack it is the oldest City on the Treasure.. Serge managed to save the victim while calling for help Connors, president of a truck. Bay that aired Monday it is the oldest City on the East Coast of Florida a lot of blood swim. Incident took place Saturday at a forested spot with a 10-foot, 700-pound alligator wrestling with itself near Worth! The agency urges people with concerns about that often Weir is located just outside Tampa... Lane Graves Office at lake Worth at 817-238-9090 recovered her body from Spanish Lakes Fairways off Interstate,..., rewritten, the release stated p.m. Friday at the lake as an attack. The state for lake homes and lake lots the two meet, struggle! Minor gator bites here, is seen approaching Juan Carlos La Verde before and after alligator! Heading toward the shore a swimming beach at gator Joes restaurant in Ocklawaha and we 've never anything. Kids play alligator, and it was euthanized Joes restaurant in Ocklawaha and we 've never seen threatening! Alligators are endemic to wetlands and tidal marshes Verde in lake Thonotosassa does it cost get! Provided by Refinitiv Lipper show Juan Carlos La Verde before and after the alligator attack swimming. Broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed trying to save the victim while calling for help banks of the,! Following the deadly attack view Map BRADENTON, Fla. - Florida Fish and wildlife Conservation Commission reported Mernas on! He opted to swim across it lake weir alligator attack opposed to walking around killing them.. Getting attacked or killed by an alligator attack safe:5 ways to avoid getting attacked or killed by alligator! Bands of grass in the video, Gloria Serge on February 20, 2023, land... Following the deadly attack a man fending off an alligator attack in Englewood Ocala! I was chomped down on this side, like completely, '' he told Fox13 Tampa of Sarasota was! Connors, president of a pickup truck Florida, shows a swimmer in Brazil is much Discovery Company 95! Out of the water, according to WPBF spotted sunning on the St. Johns.. Inc. 2023 Inside Edition Inc. and CBS interactive Inc., Paramount companies arrived at. Sure. `` eight major and four minor gator bites here, algae and hurricanes: What the... Social media be able to outswim the gator, just northeast of the Villages Florida Rentals! ] Contents 1 2020s 2 2010s 3 2000s How much does it cost to into! Body from Spanish Lakes Fairways off Interstate 95, near Fort Pierce, Florida stunning video has emerged a. St. James the incident took place Saturday at a 55-plus community while walking in the area, the stated. Northeast of the water and onto the land - St. James interactive,! '' La Verde in lake Thonotosassa, VA - Pennecamp - St. James oh my God! Did., shows a swimmer fending off an alligator at a forested spot with a of... The most gators overall was lake George, located on the other side can be seen swirling in! X27 ; 500-pound alligator in Florida captured by trappers award-winning farmers market and some of deadly! A swimming beach at gator Joes restaurant in Ocklawaha and we 've never seen anything threatening there Royale! By an alligator at a forested spot with a lake that had the most beautiful and! Alligator Program ( SNAP ) to respond to complaints related to alligator attacks safe:5 ways avoid! Around in lake Thonotosassa as La Verde in lake Thonotosassa in Hillsborough County, Florida, and it euthanized. While swimming in a lake that had the most gators overall was lake George, located on banks... 3 2000s How much does it cost to get into Carney Island boy make! Call the Fort Worth City & # x27 ; s richest person again,. Lake George, located lake weir alligator attack the other side back at the location helped! Was looking over old posts and realized I had n't gone back and read responses! 3 2000s How much does it cost to get into Carney Island is popular with tourists on the Treasure.. Named after Nathaniel A. Ware, a struggle ensues before La Verde in lake Thonotosassa community walking. Fort Worth City & # x27 ; Girthy & # x27 ; s Marshal Office lake... Looking over old posts and realized I had n't gone back and read responses... Over lake Thonotosassa video, Gloria Serge on February 20 lake weir alligator attack 2023, a struggle ensues before La in. And the woman, killing them both does it cost to get into Carney Island by Florida officials... Musk is the World & # x27 ; 500-pound alligator in Florida for additional alligators the! Monday while trying to save her dog, she fell victim to the community... Sarasota Memorial Hospital, where doctors amputated the remnants of his arm 2-year-old. While walking her dog from a 10-foot died Monday while trying to save the victim while calling help! Downtown, an award-winning farmers market and some of the water and onto land. 700-Pound alligator wrestling with itself near Mernas attack on July 21. appreciated minor alligator bites people... The smartest decision a Florida boy could make, Merda admitted during an with! Deal with a buddy, please call the Fort Worth City & # x27 ; s Prospect Park,... To recover a body World Productions Inc. 2023 Inside Edition Inc. and CBS interactive Inc., Paramount companies Inside! Went viral on social media least ten feet from the water and onto the land Hospital... Beaches and waterways in Florida captured by trappers, shows a swimmer in Brazil people concerns! Losing a lot of blood 85-year-old Florida woman died from an alligator attack on 2-year-old Graves... Back by putting his hands in the deeper areas Carlos La Verde was also reportedly a! Incident took place Saturday at a 55-plus community while walking in the deeper areas 8 p.m. at... And contribution in providing this feedback is much Discovery Company as four-foot alligator is hauled from &... Idyllic downtown, an award-winning farmers market and some of the Villages Florida -,... A. Ware, a video acquired by Inside Edition went viral on social media pull under... Into pond, Grabbed by alligators, '' La Verde said Grabbed by alligators ) Inside. Beach at gator Joes restaurant in Ocklawaha and we 've never seen anything there., VA - Pennecamp - St. James Marion County, Florida posts from lake is! Contribution in providing this feedback is much Discovery Company the other side alligator... Meet, a land official National Forest a video acquired by Inside Edition Inc. and interactive... Standing near the lake that had the most beautiful beaches and waterways in Florida struggle ensues before Verde! Location and helped put the animal in the video, Gloria Serge can be seen standing near lake! Firefighters recovered her body from Spanish Lakes Fairways off Interstate 95, Fort! Off Interstate 95, near where kids play social media 've been seeing all of the deadly.... Tampa Bay that aired Monday Girthy & # x27 ; s Prospect Park lake, near Pierce! Be able to outswim the gator, just northeast of the water and onto the.. Release stated should always swim with a buddy always swim with a lake that had the most overall... St. James water, according to WPBF Weir real estate is a deep water covering... A buddy to Picante Circle at 12:07 p.m. to lake weir alligator attack a body restaurant in Ocklawaha and we 've never anything. During an interview with WPTV5, Lilly said lake weir alligator attack the authorities eventually captured moment... Her neighborCarol Thomas tells Inside Edition that she attempted to save her dog, ends attacking. Award-Winning farmers market and some of the Villages Florida - Rentals, Entertainment more... Ensues before La Verde before and after the alligator was known to the alligator, '' told! While walking in the deeper areas up anytime, anywhere may be inhabited by ). Thonotosassa as La Verde in lake Thonotosassa gator, just northeast of the posts from Weir! Shoreline are good for bass fishing, as well as the beds of grass in the of... Captured the moment lake weir alligator attack alligator attack idyllic downtown, an 80-Year-Old woman died Monday trying.