(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
We all know living in SWFL that there are alligators lurking anywhere there is water and a gator attacked a man on Sanibel.
It's a sunny day on Sanibel Island, and you're going for a walk enjoying the outdoors. As you walk, you notice a sign that reads "Beware of Alligators." You shrug it off - after all, you're in SWFL, you see these signs all the time. What could possibly happen?
Unfortunately one man found out the hard way.
According to the City of Sanibel, a man was bitten on the arm while washing his hands in a pond on Periwinkle Way. He was able to shake the gator off and call 911. Thankfully there were other people at the scene that were able to help. They applied a tourniquet to the injury on his arm until EMS workers got there. The man was transported to the hospital and his condition is not known at this time.
Florida Fish and Wildlife along with the Florida State trapper were able to capture the gator and it was a big one. At 9 feet 2 inches, they were successfully able to remove the gator from the pond.
Have there been other gator attacks this year?
You hear about gator attacks, but not as often with adults as much as you do young kids or pets. There have been, however, several alligator attacks this year across the country that have severely injured or even killed people.
In August, an 88-year-old woman was killed in a gator attack in South Carolina. Another elderly lady was killed in July by two gators after falling into a pond at a golf course. In Largo, a man was also killed by a gator after looking for Frisbees in a lake.
In Florida, you have to assume anytime you see a body of fresh water, that there could be gators in there. It's important to be aware of the potential danger that alligators pose. Remember to always be on the lookout, and if you do see one, avoid it at all costs.
SOURCE: ABC News
Everglades Gone Wild: 18 Foot Python Eats 5 Foot Alligator
It's bad enough all the pythons that are wrecking the ecosystem of the Everglades. Also, they're spreading out. During a hunt just 3 weeks ago a 14 foot python was captured in Naples.
Many of the snakes being captured seem to be getting larger. Case in point. This 18 foot python was captured with a fully intact 5 foot alligator inside of it. I image he was moving pretty slow after such a large meal and was easy to capture. By the looks of the video it seems that the alligator hasn't been digested at all. Geoscientist Rosie Moore described the video on her Instagram "This particular Python was roughly 18 ft, and had consumed a 5ft alligator. " She goes on to explain why the pythons are such a threat "Due to the the subtropical environment of South Florida, paired with the Burmese pythons long life span and rapid reproduction, these snakes have successfully invaded ecologically sensitive areas such as Everglades National Park. This poses a threat to a variety of wildlife, due to the pythons wide dietary preferences."
Obviously this python definitely does not belong in the Everglades. Kudos to those who captured and euthanized it. No other animal in the swamp stands a change against one of these monsters.
No one's completely certain how the python was introduced in the Everglades. And now it seems they're getting larger. And hungrier.
I don't know her, but Rosie Moore looks to be a total badass. Here's some more from her Instagram:
At home below the water as she is above it. Not sure exactly where this dive is, but it's gorgeous.
Even with it's mouth taped shut. you wouldn't find me on top of a gator like that. You really need to have no fear to do this job.
If you're in Florida, you know how bad the python problem is here. Rosie is doing her part to keep the invasion at bay.
Yes, Florida also has crocodiles. How can she look so calm holding this thing?
A beach shot. Just because.
Shout out to the STEM program. Thank you Rosie.
