But its now something Pitts says she is wary of and wants others to be aware of too. Murray said he doesn't recall any other Sanibel gator attacks on humans recently. I can say that gentleman was sitting there with a temporary tourniquet, which is one of the things that saved his life from hemorrhaging, said Dr. Benjamin Abo. He did a decent job because he made it very tight but also very wide.. Dispose of fish scraps in garbage cans at freshwater boat ramps, docks or fish camps. To have it end this way is just so sad.. In April 2004, a 74-year-old woman was grabbed by the leg and pulled underwater by a 9-foot, 7-inch gator. If you see an alligator, the best thing to do is leave it alone. The Truth About Alligators on Sanibel Island They find their way back is what they do.. is 6,400 Acres of preserved and undeveloped mangrove ecosystem land. VIDEO: 10-foot gator spotted lounging in Sanibel Island parking lot - WPTV Other fatal alligator attacks in Florida - WCPO She suffered a broken thumb and gashes on a leg. Therefore, swim only during daylight hours. 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. Never allow small children to play by themselves near water. GatorBites Tail & Ale I thought she was pulling through, Steve Yetsko said. "The trappers are saying maybe three or four foot (deep).". NBC 6's Erika Glover brings us the latest on the attack from an alligator that killed a toddler inside one Disney World resort. The cause of death was listed as "systemic inflammatory response syndrome." 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. What went wrong: A look at the detainment and release of NFL player Nate Allen by Fort Myers police. The 12th was Robert Steele, 81, who died on Sept. 11, 2001, after being bitten near his home off Rabbit Road, not far from where Melsek was attacked. Gators are common in Florida and Chief Barrett said they respond to these types of calls more often than you will think. Switchboard: (305) 751-6692 Please do your part in protecting the Islands wildlife by not feeding alligators. They manage over 1200 acres of conserved land. Alligator attacks man who was washing hands in pond Observe and photograph alligators only from 30 feet or more away. SANIBEL ISLAND, Fla. -- Janie Melseks death Friday morning had many people on Sanibel talking about the same thing alligators. Florida Fish and Wildlife and a Florida State trapper arrived on the scene to capture the alligator, according to the City of Sanibel. Four of those deaths involve a child under age 5. The 2-year-old Nebraska boy snatched by an alligator at a lake in Walt Disney World and whose body was found Wednesday was one of 16 people killed in alligator attacks in Florida since 1997. Officials were about ready to give up nearly two hours into the hunt for the gator. 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. 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. An alligator is seen during a kayak tour near Everglades City on Dec. 2. The gator weighed 100 pounds, but its sex was not immediately determined. Besides that, doctors said, hes going to be just fine. 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. Alligator Attack Claims Landscape Contractor Re: Snakes or alligators on Captiva? The gator reached up and grabbed his arm, Abo said. So he wants everyone to remember to be cautious. This was the first recorded fatal alligator attack in Texas since 1836. A 54-year-old landscaper, Melsek was attacked Wednesday by an alligator that was 11 feet, 9 inches long and weighed 457 pounds. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says you can call its nuisance alligator hotline at 866-392-4286 if you are concerned about a gator. Observe and photograph alligators only from 30 feet or more away. Sanibel Island is currently closed to non-residents, with the exception of first responders and recovery workers, as local authorities continue storm cleanup. Olin was taken to HealthPark Medical Center in Fort Myers for appropriate treatment, to include antibiotics to ward off any infection. His leg was severed. Alligator Safety Tips | City of Sanibel - Sanibel, Florida 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. Allison Christian faces a charge of aggravated animal cruelty, according to an arrest report. Remember they are an important part of Sanibel's natural history as well as an integral component of our freshwater ecosystem. Third, during winter months, alligators are lethargic and pretty much just lay around. What's happening to turtle nests along Naples' beaches? Janie Melsek Photo: The News-Press. Observe and photograph alligators only from a distance. Please do your part in protecting the Island's wildlife by not feeding alligators. The 2-year-old Nebraska boy snatched by an alligator at a lake. "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. There are many misconceptions about Alligators but they are still dangerous and as humans, we have to behave respectfully and sensibly towards them. Among the fascinating animals and birds to observe is the mighty Alligator. An alligator was trapped and removed from the area. Remember they are an important part of Sanibels natural history as well as an integral component of our freshwater ecosystem. Miami, FL 33141 Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Crews are starting the long-term repairs after Hurricane Ian, causing traffic jams in Southwest Florida. The 9-foot-8-inch male alligator responsible for the attack was caught and destroyed. According to Sanibel Fire Department, a 25-year-old man was attacked. Lost a lot of blood, but hes fine.. Recently, an alligator in a pond on Sanibel Island attacked a man who was washing his hands in the water. 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. May 14, 2006: Near Lake George in the Ocala National Forest, the body of 23-year-old Annemarie Campbell was found sticking out of an alligator's mouth by her friends, who beat the reptile until it released her. Alligators on Sanibel are awesome to see, but you have to be careful and cautious, make sure you don't feed them or get to close! Alligator attacks rare in Florida, but nuisance gator numbers on rise We quickly became acquainted with everything Sanibel & Captiva have to offer. As I pulled up, the man was sitting on the side, with blood coming out, with an extension chord that that he used as a makeshift tourniquet, said Sanibel Fire & Rescue District medical director Dr. Benjamin Abo, who specializes in wilderness medicine and who treated the man on-site. Since 1948, 491 people have been bitten. 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. "All of a sudden a trapper saw it and hooked it. The man was able to free himself and call . Dog gets away safe after alligator lunges for it off Sanibel Causeway "She got stitches in her right hand and was given appropriate medication and medical care," Adams said. nature trails to explore and a huge wildlife refuge. Terrifying details after man attacked by alligator lurking underwater Five years ago last week Sanibel Island landscaper Janie Melsek lost her life to complications from an alligator attack. A pretty good size gatorabout 8 to 10 feet gator came up and grabbed him by the arm. Sanibel has a special permit from the state allowing it to move gators under 8 feet long that get in the way of humans as long as theyre not acting aggressively. March 22, 1997: An 11-foot alligator was discovered swimming protectively near the body of 3-year-old Adam Binford in a lake in Volusia County, a mile from where he had disappeared the day before. 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. Kati Sherrard, who was hired to be the [], An alligator was captured in a Sanibel pond Thursday afternoon after the reptile seriously injured a man working on the island. It is during these times that alligator sightings are most prevalent. 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.. 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. Do not let your small pets, such as dogs drink from or swim in, freshwater. . Early reports that the gator was about 4-feet-long proved wrong once trappers captured the critter. Second, a full grown alligator can exist on one raccoon for months. A nearby alligator behaved aggressively toward the divers, and was trapped and euthanized. 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. The man is taking antibiotics and needs to clean his wounds thoroughly and often. We can tell you how to appreciate these mighty creatures safely, respectfully, and responsibly. His mother told authorities he had been standing in knee-deep water picking water lilies for her. Luckily the man could pull himself free, but he lost a lot of blood. Attached to the Shipley Trail and close to the Bailey Homestead. Its sad to see people cant go out in the yard and garden, said Cardenas, 34. An 11-foot-4-inch, 407-pound alligator that was confirmed to have killed her was euthanized. Man seriously injured after alligator attack on Sanibel, Tom Sizemore, 'Saving Private Ryan' star dies at 61. Small, tropical, inviting, it is easy to feel that there is not a worry in the world while vacationing on Sanibel. City of Sanibel Alligator Policy | City of Sanibel - Sanibel, Florida According to Sanibel Fire the man was severely bitten but is expected to be okay. At the last check, the victim is in the hospital but is expected to be okay. 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. I am linking . Many attacks occur when people do not pay close enough attention to their surroundings when working or recreating near water. State law prohibits killing, feeding, harassing or possession of alligators. Theyre just being alligators. Weve encroached upon their turf. Alligator Safety Tips | City of Sanibel - Sanibel, Florida SANIBEL ISLAND, Fla. A monster alligator was spotted walking around a parking lot on Sanibel Island, Florida. 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. He was taken to an area hospital; his current condition is unknown at this time. 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. Alligator will be euthanized after attacking a man near pond in Sanibel The alligator,. 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. The City of Sanibel | 800 Dunlop Road | Sanibel, FL 33957. Smith had known Melsek, who was a bank customer, for 23 years. A womans service dog had a near death experience when an alligator lunged for it off the Sanibel Causeway recently. July 23, 2004: Landscaper Janie Melsek, 54, died from a severe infection two days after she was mauled by a 12-foot, 457-pound alligator on Sanibel Island. Twenty-five of those attacks were fatal, including two in Lee County both on Sanibel Island in 2001 and 2004. 2023 Sanibel Holiday All rights reserved. The body of Alexandria Murphy was found near the shoreline of Lake Cannon in Winter Haven an hour after her family reported her missing. Newsroom: (305) 795-2777. High temperatures will climb into the 80s and low 90s under mostly sunny skies. Guide to Sanibel Restaurants Do not swim outside of posted swimming areas or in waters that might be inhabited by large alligators. 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.