"There was a incident with someone walking their dog," Stokes said. Alligators are naturally afraid of humans, but will attack in certain instances. Most alligators are naturally afraid of humans but may lose that fear when people feed them. An elderly woman was killed after she fell into a pond along a Florida golf course and was attacked by two alligators, authorities said. Florida county. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. Read this subscriber-only article for free! "It was about a foot away from the water," Ray said. (I) just remember her coming up and, you know getting air, and Im saying swim towards the paddle boat, and she says, I cant. In 1977, 13 people received major injuries, followed by 11 in 2001 and 10 in 2017. Fort Pierce is home to an idyllic downtown, an award-winning farmers market and some of the most beautiful beaches and waterways in Florida. 2 min read. Observe and photograph alligators only from a safe distance. (Copyright (c) 2022 CNN. Closely supervise children when they are playing in or around water. "It was definitely a fight," nuisance alligator trapper Robert Lilly told WPTV 5. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers and St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office deputies were sent to the 6700 block of Picante Circle for what they called an "alligator bite incident" following 911 calls. Neighbor Carol Thomas told Inside Edition that she tried to help Serge while speaking with 911. IE 11 is not supported. The video showed how the alligator silently followed Ms Gloria Serge, then lunged at her dog before going for her. Inside Edition has obtained video footage showing the terrifying moment a 10-foot-long alligator grabbed an 85-year-old Florida woman and killed her. Gloria Serge's dog survived the attack Monday in Fort Pierce, a state fish and wildlife spokesperson said. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Around 1.3 million alligators live in Florida, according to the FWC's website. All content Copyright 2000 - 2023 WHDH-TV. Boston, MA 02114 READ ON THE FOX NEWS. Ms. Serge was pulled into deeper water and died as a result of the incident. Inside Edition verified the video, and the brutal aftermath, speaking to neighbor Carol Thomas who tried to save Serge before she was pulled under. It's about 120 miles from Orlando and roughly 130 miles north of Miami. From 1948 to 2021, 26 bites resulted in human fatalities. "Our prayers go out to the loved ones of the victim and the Spanish Lakes' residents who knew the victim and witnessed the attack," Sheriff Ken Mascara said in a statement released on Facebook. Female alligators rarely exceed10 feet in length. Serge was knocked over and the alligator pulled her into the water by her foot, according to a commission incident report. St. Lucie County Fire District spokesperson Brenda Stokes said fire rescue workers were sent to the 6700 block of Picante Circle at 12:07 p.m. Monday, Feb. 20, to recover a body. The state of Florida, where most attacks and deaths occur, began keeping records of alligator attacks in 1948. According to the statement, serious injuries caused by alligators are rare in the state of Florida. Follow Will on Twitter@OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. The camera shows the woman and her dog by the water's edge, as the water ripples from the alligator edging closer towards them. The public may view the reports by going to WHDH.com and clicking on "FCC Public File", or by visiting the FCC's website at FCC.org. I thought, well Ill put that out in the water and hook her or hit him, and she was not there anymore., Helpless, Ms Thomas could only wait. Part of that . According to a November 2021 report from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC): In 2021,. News Tips: (800) 280-TIPS ST. LUCIE COUNTY Three more alligators have been removed from the Spanish Lakes Fairways community in northern St. Lucie County after an 85-year-old woman died following a Monday alligator encounter, a homeowner association president said. First. (CNN) An 85-year-old woman walking her dog was killed Monday when an alligator pulled her into a nearby retention pond in southeast Florida, according to wildlife officials. There are about 1.3 million alligators in Florida, but alligator attacks resulting in serious injuries are rare, according to the commission. Gloria Serge, 85, was walking her dog on Feb. 20 when an 11-foot alligator grabbed the dog. Alligators prefer freshwater lakes and slow-moving rivers, according to the agency. The moments before a woman was attacked and killed by an alligator in Florida have been released after a birdwatching camera captured the horrific scene. If there's an alligator under 4 feet is found in your swimming pool, on your porch, under your car, or in a similar situation, a nuisance alligator trapper can be contacted. Twenty-six of the bites resulted inpeople being killed by wild alligators. Relocated alligators often try to return to their capture site. Get unlimited access to all stories at $0.99/month for the first 3 months. Over the last 10 years, Florida has averaged eight unprovoked bites per year that are serious enough to require professional medical treatment. Hitting or kicking the alligator or poking it in its eyes may cause it to release its grip. Alligator bites can result in serious infection, and victims should seek immediate medical attention if bitten. The incident occurred shortly before 8 p.m. Friday at the . Alligator attacks are very rare, even in Louisiana and Florida. The alligator, a local fixture known as Henry, was trapped and put down. Another elderly woman in Florida was killed in July after she fell into a pond and was attacked by two alligators, authorities said. Thomas spoke Tuesday, a day after an 85-year-old neighbor out with her dog died following an alligator encounter in the Spanish Lakes Fairways community in St. Lucie County, Florida. [We] snagged him on the bottom. Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News, How to register your school/organization for closings and delays, Greenfield police release video of car slamming into cruiser, Communities prepare for overnight snow as new round of winter weather approaches, Appeals court upholds dismissal of wrongful death lawsuit in Whitey Bulger case, Cleanup underway after car crashes into Wilmington home. NBC 6's Amanda Plasencia reports. This article is now fully available for you, Please verify your e-mail to read this subscriber-only article in full. This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Florida woman, 85, dead after gator attacks while out walking her dog, Jennifer Sangalang and Corey Arwood, Treasure Coast Newspapers, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Terrifying ordeal from the neighbor who witnessed fatal alligator encounter, Wildlife officials investigate woman's death at golf community. Florida has a population of 1.3 million alligators across its 67 counties, and they can be found in. Do not allow pets to swim, exercise or drink in or near waters that may contain alligators or in designated swimming areas with humans. Copyright 2023 SPH Media Limited. 5 ways to avoid getting attacked or killed by a Florida alligator, Martin County closes park trails after alligator bites bicyclist who fell on it, was found on a Florida interstate: "He wasn't happy", November 2021 report from the Florida Fish and Wildlife. "I saw the gator grab her." The video showed how the 3m-long reptile silently followed her and her dog from afar before it finally surged out of the lake and lunged at the pooch called Trooper. I couldnt do anything. The incident unfolded Monday in a Fort Pierce, Florida, retirement community. Feb. 21, 2023. The alligator was estimated to be about 11 feet long and weighed 600 to 700 lbs., per the latter outlet. However, the study at the time cited the need for a "uniform reporting system among states" to get more complete information on alligator encounters. An 85-year old woman was attacked and killed by an alligator on Monday in Florida, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission confirmed in a statement to PEOPLE. Males get much larger. "The FWC places the highest priority on public safety and administers a Statewide Nuisance. Can't see the report on alligator attacks? The good news for humans: Alligators have a natural fear of humans and usually will retreat when approached, Texas Parks and Wildlife says. Unprovoked alligator attacks do occasionally happen and should not be downplayed, however most are preventable and the fatality rate is low. No one answered the door Tuesday or Thursday at Serges listed address on Aguila Avenue. "Anytime you show up next to water, you're assuming some risk Don't tempt it.". According to a November 2021 report from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: In 2021, there were seven major and three minor alligator bites. The reptile species is found throughout Florida's 67 counties, with a population estimated at 1.3 million. The Ravens of Tampa's Alonso High School . Meanwhile, a small memorial had been set up in a booth at Loutinas Pizza in the Indrio Crossings Plaza for Serge, who frequented the eatery, according to a worker. We were able to get a second hook in him and a hard line in him so we could get him up.. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Homes in the . The worst years for fatalities were 2001 and 2006, with three people dying each of those years from Florida alligator attacks. BAY NEWS 9. Witnesses called 911 and firefighters recovered the woman's body. They can be found in practically all fresh and brackish water bodies and occasionally in salt water. TAMPA, Fla. - A high school lacrosse team in Florida had to stop practice when an alligator showed up and took a leisurely stroll across the field. sharks, alligators, algae and hurricanes: What are the Floridian odds? He stayed down the whole time. Gloria Serge was . Handling even small alligators can result in injury. "Anywhere there is standing water, an alligator might be found," The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said in a statement to USA TODAY. 2023 www.tcpalm.com. "We arrived on scene within minutes and recovered her body, kept surveillance on the alligator with our helicopter and personnel around the lake, and assisted the FWC trapper with identifying the alligator and dragging it out of the water," Sheriff Ken Mascara told TCPalm, part of the USA TODAY Network. Fatal alligator attack in Florida: 3 more gators removed from neighborhood after woman's death Spanish Lakes Fairways residents said the gator grabbed the woman's dog, and she struggled to get the . Gloria Serge was by a retention pond behind her house in Fort Pierce, Florida, on Monday when the 10-foot-long alligator crawled up from the . Alligators less than 4 feet in length are not large enough to be dangerous to people or pets, unless handled. "[We] snagged him on the bottom. Mandelker said he didnt know whether the three additional alligators were removed from the same pond or lake in which Serge died, but said the ponds are connected and an alligator can go from one to the other. The moments before a woman was attacked and killed by an alligator in Florida have been released after a birdwatching camera captured the horrific scene. The three alligators are in addition to one removed and euthanized after Gloria Serge was pulled into the water as she walked her dog by a small lake in the area of Picante Circle and Aguila Avenue, according to Jay Mandelker, Spanish Lakes Fairways HOA president, on Thursday. Her final moments at the Spanish Lakes Fairways retirement community in Fort Pierce was captured on a wildlife camera set up by Travel Birds on the property, the Inside Edition reported. Unprovoked bites are defined as bites on people by wild alligators, which were not provoked by handling or intentional harassment. He stayed down the whole time. People should be aware of safety signs in fishing and swimming . Alligator attack risk comparison . The alligator weighed 600 to 700 pounds, WPTV reported. From 1948 to November 2021, Florida's conservation commission reported 442 unprovoked alligator attacks and 14 fatalities statewide.