A woman was hospitalized after being bitten on the arm by a crocodile while swimming in the Silver River in Marion County, Florida, in yet another incident involving these reptiles reported during the summer in the central part of the state.
According to FOX 35 Orlando, which cited information from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the attack occurred last Saturday, and several people in the area assisted the victim and helped her return to shore.
The woman was later transported to a hospital as a trauma alert, reported Marion County Fire Rescue.
Authorities had not provided any new details about his health status as of this Sunday, noted FOX 35 Orlando.
FWC agents and a trapper hired by the nuisance alligator control program arrived at the site to locate the reptile.
The animal was found on Sunday and removed from the area.
The alligator measured 9 feet and 8 inches, approximately 2.95 meters, according to the FWC.
The Marion County authorities temporarily closed the Silver River while efforts were underway to locate and remove the animal.
The river reopened to the public this Sunday.
The episode adds to other attacks reported in Florida over the past few weeks.
In early July, Brittany Clark, 31 years old, died after being attacked by an almost four-meter-long alligator while she was on the Econlockhatchee River in Seminole County.
In July, an 11-year-old boy lost his right hand after being attacked by a 2.62-meter alligator in Nelson Fish Camp, also in Marion County. The boy's father jumped onto the reptile and tried to pry its jaws open to save his son.
Another incident occurred on June 21, when a 19-year-old was bitten while surface diving in the Rainbow River, also in Marion.
Specialists, for their part, insist that many of these episodes can be prevented by avoiding risky behaviors in areas inhabited by alligators. The FWC recommends swimming only in designated areas and during daylight hours, keeping a safe distance from alligators, not feeding them, and exercising extreme caution near freshwater and brackish bodies of water.
The agency reminds that these reptiles are especially active between dusk and dawn.
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