List: 24 fatal alligator attacks in Florida since 1973 - The News-Press 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 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. Beaches remain closed on the island without boardwalks, and debris is scattered everywhere. The City of Sanibel | 800 Dunlop Road | Sanibel, FL 33957. Janie Melsek Photo: The News-Press. 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. The man was able to free. They are often spotted on Sanibel (though rarely on Captiva) which is a wonderful habitat for them as much as it is a great vacation + Read More Here The Truth About Alligators on Sanibel Island These feared but fascinating creatures are common on the island. May 13, 2006: On the same day Campbell's body was found, the body of Judy W. Cooper, 43, was found in a canal 20 miles north of St. Petersburg, in Pinellas County. Copyright 2023 Waterman Broadcasting of Florida, LLC, Home News Local Man seriously injured after alligator attack on Sanibel. I think its pretty scary, Ill tell you that, said Elaine Smith, a customer service representative at Bank of the Islands. Ironically, Olin lives on the same street as Sanibel's only other fatal gator attack victim. Recently, an alligator in a pond on Sanibel Island attacked a man who was washing his hands in the water. Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Fatality Rate: Alligator Attacks = 4.3% Shark Attacks = 1.5%. 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. Observe and photograph alligators only from a distance. is 6,400 Acres of preserved and undeveloped mangrove ecosystem land. High temperatures will climb into the 80s and low 90s under mostly sunny skies. Although you are not intentionally feeding alligators when you do this, the end result can be the same. Alligators can climb and quite well, just something to be aware of. Yetsko and his wife, Donna Yetsko, 51, were doing yard work of their own Friday when they learned Melsek had died. That gator was killed and another 6-foot gator was removed. 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. She survived the attack but died later of an infection caused by the bite. How much should your insurance company pay, and can an adjuster stack on costs? Weve had too many attacks recently, I think, said Smith, 62. Are There Alligators On Sanibel Island? Top 6 Best Answers Visit Gatorbites Website. 20351 Summerlin Rd, Fort Myers, FL 33908 That will require a bit (a lot) of a detour from going directly to Sanibel Island, as the spot to (maybe!) 2000s. As more people start to pile into the area, and beaches reopen, the fish kill will become a bigger problem. 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. Latest News Updates for Sanibel Island & SWFL. State law prohibits killing, feeding, harassing or possession of alligators. Campbell was a Tennessee visitor who was snorkeling in a secluded recreation area. A nearby alligator behaved aggressively toward the divers, and was trapped and euthanized. The cause of death was listed as "systemic inflammatory response syndrome." A chamber employee told a reporter the meeting was about alligators. Alligators, if they have been left alone, will generally not attack you. But what is the Florida Department of Transportation actually doing on the Sanibel Causeway? Please do your part in protecting the Island's wildlife by not feeding alligators. Many attacks occur when people do not pay close enough attention to their surroundings when working or recreating near water. Do not swim outside of posted swimming areas or in waters that might be inhabited by large alligators. The attack happened on the 2400 block of Periwinkle Way around 11:00 am. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our. Sanibel Island is an incredible place to experience nature. 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. Trappers later caught and killed an 8-1/2-foot alligator that had some of her body parts in its belly. There are many misconceptions about Alligators but they are still dangerous and as humans, we have to behave respectfully and sensibly towards them. Florida is one of their favorite habitats, of course! Hes my service dog, so he saves my life a lot, Pitts said. Just as we love all wild life on Sanibel, we love our gators. 6-foot alligator attacks Sanibel woman - Naples Daily News It is a celebration of nature at its finest. Youve got to be careful., Turf Masters Brands expands with recent acquisitions, Project EverGreen receives $50,000 matching grant from MEDC, Schill Grounds Management promotes 4 to senior positions, Schill Grounds Management acquires GrassCor, SavATree merges with Lyndon Tree Care & Landscaping. You have to have your head on a swivel and be smart, especially with regard to small animals and small children; if youre down near the waters edge, theres a potential gator there. Terrifying details after man attacked by alligator lurking underwater Sanibel officials plan to meet Tuesday, Aug. 3, to discuss city policies on gators, which Councilman Steve Brown says may be too liberal. Medical professionals applied a commercial-grade tourniquet and took the man to a hospital. Fifth, alligators can be lighting fast when they see you are in striking distance, 15 feet or less from them and the water. Police shot the reptile to death before rushing Melsek to Lee Memorial Hospital in Fort Myers. The 2-year-old Nebraska boy snatched by an alligator at a lake. We can tell you how to appreciate these mighty creatures safely, respectfully, and responsibly. They are native to Mexico, China, and the United States. An alligator was trapped and removed from the area. I think they shouldnt let them get that big. She heard a loud splash and when she turned around her son was gone. One of the biggest issues people are dealing with when it comes to insurance after Hurricane Ian is property damage. , there was a time they almost became extinct. The alligator, found with the missing leg in his mouth, was destroyed. Steve Yetsko who called Sanibel police officers the real heroes in Melseks rescue said hes never had a serious problem with a gator. The alligator dragged her into a pond, tearing at her right arm so severely that part of it was later amputated, and rescuers saved her from the reptile's jaws in what was described as a fierce "tug-of-war.". GatorBites Tail & Ale The man was able to free himself from the. 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. 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.. Sanibel Fire said people at the scene were able to make a tourniquet for the man before medics arrived. The man was able to free himself and call 911, but sustained serious injury to his right. (3.7 m) alligator while working on landscaping along Poinciana Circle Sanibel, Florida. Alligator Attack Claims Landscape Contractor Fatal Alligator Attacks in Florida Over Past 20 Years Snakes or alligators on Captiva? - Captiva Island Forum Second, a full grown alligator can exist on one raccoon for months. Its the sunshine state! If you encounter a nuisance alligator or see someone feeding an alligator, IMMEDIATELY CONTACT THE SANIBEL POLICE DEPARTMENT AT (239) 472-3111. Man seriously injured after alligator attack on Sanibel, Tom Sizemore, 'Saving Private Ryan' star dies at 61. 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. "The trappers are saying maybe three or four foot (deep).". "Pretty much every body of water has an alligator in it, including some swimming pools," Chief Barrett said. Large alligator spotted roaming around Sanibel Island - YouTube To have it end this way is just so sad.. Sanibel Island is an incredible place to experience nature. The J.N Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge is 6,400 Acres of preserved and undeveloped mangrove ecosystem land. If you see an alligator, the best thing to do is leave it alone. The man is taking antibiotics and needs to clean his wounds thoroughly and often. Its the sunshine state! nature trails to explore and a huge wildlife refuge. The gator reached up and grabbed his arm, Abo said. Authorities shot the alligator after Okkerse's body was found. Robert Steele, 81 . Never allow small children to play by themselves near water. Smith had known Melsek, who was a bank customer, for 23 years. They manage over 1200 acres of conserved land. Therefore, swim only during daylight hours. Alligator Safety Tips | City of Sanibel - Sanibel, Florida 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. 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. 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. Greenstein said hes not worried Sanibel which depends heavily on tourism could become known as a dangerous place because of gators. Then, they dragged it in on shore and away from the water to be euthanized. The cause of death was listed as systemic inflammatory response syndrome.. There are numerous nature trails to explore and a huge wildlife refuge. Landscaper dies after alligator attack | The Spokesman-Review Sanibel Island, Florida 33957 Remember they are an important part of Sanibels natural history as well as an integral component of our freshwater ecosystem. The gator, a 12-foot, 3-inch male was removed and destroyed. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing. According to Sanibel Fire the man was severely bitten but is expected to be okay. I dont know that were getting a reputation for it, Greenstein said. Murray said he doesn't recall any other Sanibel gator attacks on humans recently. They rushed to the scene to help the wounded man. 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. Alligators On Sanibel Island - The SanCap Guide It's the sunshine state! 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. What's happening to turtle nests along Naples' beaches? Bryan Griffin was pulled under after friends repeatedly warned him to get out of the water. He did a decent job because he made it very tight but also very wide.. The decorative pond is about the size of a swimming pool, said Sanibel Police Maj. Michael Murray. But some may take the signs to heart in such a way that inhibits their enjoyment of the island. Allison Christian faces a charge of aggravated animal cruelty, according to an arrest report. May 4, 2001: The chewed body of 70-year-old Samuel Wetmore was found floating in a south Sarasota County retention pond with an 8-foot alligator circling nearby. 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 Howsmon, 54, said the gator population needs to be thinned. Officials were about ready to give up nearly two hours into the hunt for the gator. Dispose of fish scraps in garbage cans at freshwater boat ramps, docks or fish camps. 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. Do not throw them in the water. Theyre not in our yard, were in their territory. Remember they are an important part of Sanibel's natural history as well as an integral component of our freshwater ecosystem. FWC. Luckily, all three got away without injuries. If you see anything and the gators appear to be nuisance, call the Sanibel police. Please keep the following tips in mind to ensure the time you spend on Sanibel does not result in a conflict with an alligator: Feeding alligators is a criminal act, punishable with up to a $500 fine and 60 days in jail. ***Christmas Light Footage was recorded in January 2021 from Tween Waters Resort. Leave alligators alone. So it wouldve been devastating, so Im just happy that it turned out the way that it did, and I just want to let other people know that theyre actually there right off the causeway, and that, you know, for people to be careful.. Chief Barrett explained that capturing the gator was like fishing. By the beginning of April, when the weather starts to warm, alligators become active, feeding more, looking for new territories and mating. Please do your part in protecting the Island's wildlife by not feeding alligators. If you would like to watch t. Do not allow pets to swim, exercise, or drink in waters that may contain alligators or in designated swimming areas with humans. She later died in surgery from an infection acquired from being in the water . Among the fascinating animals and birds to observe is the mighty Alligator. They outlasted dinosaurs! Guide To Waterfront Dining. Re: Snakes or alligators on Captiva? They outlasted dinosaurs! Laitham Haddad shared the video with Fort Myers NBC affiliate WBBH. The 9-foot-8-inch male alligator responsible for the attack was caught and destroyed. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. Chamber Executive Director Steve Greenstein insisted that wasnt true. Since alligators are cold-blooded reptiles, their metabolic rate increases and decreases as water and air temperatures fluctuate. So he wants everyone to remember to be cautious. SANIBEL ISLAND, Fla. -- Janie Melseks death Friday morning had many people on Sanibel talking about the same thing alligators. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. These Valuable Pennies Are Worth Thousands, First Woman Miami-Dade Transit Bus Operator Wins Roadeo in Competition's 40-Year History, From Haiti Through Liberty City to Top Federal Prosecutor in South Florida: the Unlikely Story of Markenzy Lapointe. sad news of an Alligator attack on Sanibel - Page 2 - Fodor's They find their way back is what they do.. A fish kill is filling up the water in Southwest Florida. 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. 2023 Sanibel Holiday All rights reserved. She suffered a broken thumb and gashes on a leg. 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. It is during these times that alligator sightings are most prevalent. The only Gator bite you want is just over the causeway offering great food, excellent service, live entertainment, and a large outdoor patio. Obviously, theres more people moving onto the island, he said. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers, along with a Florida State trapper, searched the area in an attempt to capture the alligator. The man was able to free himself from the. 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. The following is a list of safety tips to ensure that your time spent on Sanibel is both rewarding and safe. . Crews said the victim was washing is hands in a pond. 239-395-7671, Copyright 2020 - 2021|Avada Theme by. SANIBEL, Fla. . Since 1948, 491 people have been bitten. Students, staff, family, and friends came together on Friday for the annual unified basketball game at Fort Myers High School. Please do your part in protecting the Islands wildlife by not feeding alligators. Sanibel Fires Division Chief Tim Barrett told Fox 4 that the alligator was between 8 and 10 feet long. 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 primary factor in the evaluation is determining the potential danger posed by an alligator or crocodile. Also, understand that if youre near a nest, theyre going to be protective.. The toddler, from Nebraska, was vacationing. They are often spotted on Sanibel (though rarely on Captiva) which is a wonderful habitat for them as much as it is a great vacation spot for us! Man bitten by alligator in Florida pond sustains "serious injury" It is the bite alone which is so full of bacteria that it kills by infection. The 450-pound alligator was killed. What do we expect?. Officials said the man was able to free himself and call 911. A woman who had worked on Sanibel for many years was attacked by an alligator while working. A 54-year-old landscaper, Melsek was attacked Wednesday by an alligator that was 11 feet, 9 inches long and weighed 457 pounds. Pitts grabbed her smaller dog, and Honey was able to run away from the gator unscathed. She later died of the wounds. The Truth About Alligators on Sanibel Island, The Best Sanibel Stories Come from Guests. The alligator believed to be responsible was killed. The dog, Jazzy, was found abandoned in a hotel room in Orlando earlier this month, Orange County Animal Services said on Facebook. Animals in the region were disrupted by Hurricane Ian in September, and may have found new homes in unexpected places. They need to do something about it., Its unbelievable, said Rudder, 39. Gators are common in Florida and Chief Barrett said they respond to these types of calls more often than you will think. 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. Their metabolism is very slow and they are not the ravenous monsters some think they are. They are a protected species and given the percentage of conservation land on the island are a common sight that is to be celebrated. You cant relocate them, he said. Firefighters are battling several brush fires in Charlotte County; the one off McCall Road threatens several buildings, including a church. Despite a pretty gnarly bite, hes going to be OK, and his arm is going to be saved, Abo said. There are. "Actually the trappers were in there for a long time with hooks and we (law enforcement officials) were all standing there looking for the alligator," Adams said.