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By the beginning of April, when the weather starts to warm, alligators become active, feeding more, looking for new territories and mating. Officials were about ready to give up nearly two hours into the hunt for the gator. They outlasted dinosaurs! This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. But some may take the signs to heart in such a way that inhibits their enjoyment of the island. Fourth, most deaths by alligators are not from blood loss or even from drowning. Remember they are an important part of Sanibel's natural history as well as an integral component of our freshwater ecosystem. The singular exception may be the presence of alligators, and you will see signs warning about them posted throughout the Island. At Baileys General Store, employees Anastasia Cardenas, John Howsmon and Travis Rudder talked about gators as they took a break from work. The gator released Melsek after a five- to 10-minute tug of war with the gator on one side of her and police on the other. Smith had known Melsek, who was a bank customer, for 23 years. And myself, along with the fire department, were just a couple of minutes away, and were there pretty quickly to put on a commercial grade tourniquet and south of bleeding and do our assessment and provide emergency medical care for him, Abo said. 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. 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! Never let small children play by themselves near freshwater. About three hours after the attack, first responders were able to get the gator out of the pond. Olin was taken to HealthPark Medical Center in Fort Myers for appropriate treatment, to include antibiotics to ward off any infection. WSVN-TVSunbeam Television Corp Sept. 26, 2004: Georgia college student Michelle Reeves, 20, drowned after an alligator bit off part of her right arm while she apparently went skinny-dipping in a lake in Fort Myers. She survived the attack but died later of an infection caused by the bite. nature trails to explore and a huge wildlife refuge. - A professional landscaper died Friday after being mauled by a 12-foot alligator that dragged her into a pond and nearly tore off one of her arms. It seems to have worked for years. Since alligators are cold-blooded reptiles, their metabolic rate increases and decreases as water and air temperatures fluctuate. Students, staff, family, and friends came together on Friday for the annual unified basketball game at Fort Myers High School. 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. Then, they dragged it in on shore and away from the water to be euthanized. is 6,400 Acres of preserved and undeveloped mangrove ecosystem land. Leave alligators alone. What's happening to turtle nests along Naples' beaches? A photo of the aftermath of the attack is so graphic we had to blur it, but with a closer . 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. Oct. 19, 2015: The body of 62-year-old James Okkerse was found floating in Blue Springs State Park in central Florida with injuries consistent with an alligator attack. According to Sanibel Fire the man was severely bitten but is expected to be okay. I thought about whether to post this news or. The man was able to free himself from the. We just want to see a sensible distance between the two! Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers, along with a Florida State trapper, searched the area in an attempt to capture the alligator. Among the fascinating animals and birds to observe is the mighty Alligator. Nevertheless, the mayor believes the island will be open on January 2. Its the sunshine state! I dont know if I agree with the brunt of the people blaming the alligator, Myerson said. The man was able to free himself and call 911, but sustained serious injury to his right. She fought back and survived after being treated at a hospital. 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 do we expect?. Hes my service dog, so he saves my life a lot, Pitts said. Obviously, theres more people moving onto the island, he said. Five years ago last week Sanibel Island landscaper Janie Melsek lost her life to complications from an alligator attack. Ironically, Olin lives on the same street as Sanibel's only other fatal gator attack victim. An alligator in a pond on Sanibel Island attacked a man who was washing his hands in the water. They need to do something about it., Its unbelievable, said Rudder, 39. Then vote no on solar amendment, Ray McNulty: Jim Kaat tells different side to Greg Norman's battle with Medalist Golf Club. Despite a pretty gnarly bite, hes going to be OK, and his arm is going to be saved, Abdo told WSVN. Never allow small children to play by themselves near water. It is also illegal. Robert Steele, 82, was killed by a. Gators are common in Florida and Chief Barrett said they respond to these types of calls more often than you will think. They are native to Mexico, China, and the United States. Sanibel Island is an incredible place to experience nature. The. 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. It was a bit of a struggle, Chief Barett said. The decorative pond is about the size of a swimming pool, said Sanibel Police Maj. Michael Murray. 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. They did say the gator will be put asleep. The myth that they cant catch you if you run in a zig zag is not true. Experts trapped the cold blooded animal with meat and lassoed it. But its now something Pitts says she is wary of and wants others to be aware of too. 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. A pretty good size gatorabout 8 to 10 feet gator came up and grabbed him by the arm. 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. Between poor water quality and damage from Hurricane Ian, this years wildlife surveys hold extra weight, and researchers are paying special attention to Floridas winter shorebird count. Inform others that feeding alligators is illegal and creates problems for others who want to use the water for recreational purposes and ultimately results in the need to destroy the animal. Dogs are more susceptible to being attacked than humans because dogs resemble the natural prey of alligators. 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. During cooler months, alligators are generally lethargic and do not move around much. Janie Melsek, 54, was attacked Wednesday by the. The attack occurred at a pond near 2477 Periwinkle Way, which abuts Frannies Preserve, a forested area with hiking trails, and a few blocks south of J.N. Yetsko and his wife, Donna Yetsko, 51, were doing yard work of their own Friday when they learned Melsek had died. 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.. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge when the gator dragged him into the water. 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. Lee County announced that several beach parksLynn Hall Memorial Park, San Carlos Bay-Bunche Beach Preserve, Bonita Beach Park and Bonita Beach Accesses 1 to 10would reopen on Saturday. J.N Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge There are often Alligator spottings on the Indigo trail/Wildlife drive, keep your eyes open for groups of people huddled around staring, this is usually a sign of a Gator spotting! After the gator was captured FWC's gator trappers gave Fox 4 a closer look at the gator that bit a man's arm. Its sad to see people cant go out in the yard and garden, said Cardenas, 34. Do not let your small pets, such as dogs drink from or swim in, freshwater. The body of Alexandria Murphy was found near the shoreline of Lake Cannon in Winter Haven an hour after her family reported her missing. 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. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. There are many misconceptions about Alligators but they are still dangerous and as humans, we have to behave respectfully and sensibly towards them. What went wrong: A look at the detainment and release of NFL player Nate Allen by Fort Myers police. Just as we love all wild life on Sanibel, we love our gators. Administrative Services/ Human Resources/ Benefits/ Pensions, Business Tax Receipts (formerly Occupational Licenses), Police including Emergency Management Forms, Register with AlertLee for Emergency Announcements, Register for Recreation Center Activities, City of Sanibel Demographics - April 27, 2021, Commercial Hurricane Re-Entry Application. They rushed to the scene to help the wounded man. 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. Theyre not in our yard, were in their territory. Firefighters are battling several brush fires in Charlotte County; the one off McCall Road threatens several buildings, including a church. Third, during winter months, alligators are lethargic and pretty much just lay around. 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. "All of a sudden a trapper saw it and hooked it. Mayor Marty Harrity met Friday with directors of the Sanibel and Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce. The victim told Abo that he was trying to keep the alligator from pulling him into the water, and that if the nearly 10-foot animal rolled, a technique alligators use to harm prey, he would roll with it. Pitts says you never know whats lurking below the waters surface. Weve encroached upon their turf. 20351 Summerlin Rd, Fort Myers, FL 33908 SANIBEL, Fla. A man was hospitalized after an alligator bit him on the arm. They outlasted dinosaurs! A trapper killed the alligator suspected in the attack. Lost a lot of blood, but hes fine.. 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! The alligator, found . 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. 2023 Sanibel Holiday All rights reserved. We can tell you how to appreciate these mighty creatures, Alligators on Sanibel are very interesting creatures that have been roaming the earth since prehistoric times. A fish kill is filling up the water in Southwest Florida. Golf Courses The 2 best golf courses to Gator spot are The Dunes and Sanibel Island Golf Club. Alligators are most active between dusk and dawn. ", Contact Valli Finney at vallimfinney@yahoo.com, PHOTOS: County Commissioners square off at forum, Collier commission candidates clash over fracking. 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. Enter one or more recipient email addresses separated by commas or spaces. The man was able to free himself and call . Observe and photograph alligators only from a distance. Man seriously injured after alligator attack on Sanibel, Tom Sizemore, 'Saving Private Ryan' star dies at 61. There are several places to spot Alligators on Sanibel and, they are most active in the warmer months. The man was able to free. Sanibel Island, Florida 33957 Also, understand that if youre near a nest, theyre going to be protective.. No Collier County attacks are included on FWC's list of fatal alligator attacks. Sanibel Island is currently closed to non-residents, with the exception of first responders and recovery workers, as local authorities continue storm cleanup. A word to the wise should be sufficient. The skin was very torn up on his arm. At least four people have been killed in alligator incidents this year in the U.S., two in Florida. Observe and photograph alligators only from 30 feet or more away. FULL STORY:https://t.co/s8YiqlIH9V pic.twitter.com/HIf2fsEoQj. The man was washing his hands in a pond in Sanibel, Florida, at around 11 a.m. on Thursday when the alligator bit him, the city said in a statement. So let's set the record straight about these prehistoric looking creatures. 2000s. The public may view the reports by going to WSVN.com and clicking on "FCC Public File", or by visiting the FCC's website at FCC.org. Although you are not intentionally feeding alligators when you do this, the end result can be the same. According to Sanibel Fire Department, a 25-year-old man was attacked. NBC 6's Erika Glover brings us the latest on the attack from an alligator that killed a toddler inside one Disney World resort. A womans service dog had a near death experience when an alligator lunged for it off the Sanibel Causeway recently. There are. Pond Apple Trail 1159 Causeway Road. A nearby alligator behaved aggressively toward the divers, and was trapped and euthanized. An alligator is seen during a kayak tour near Everglades City on Dec. 2. Alligators on Sanibel are very interesting creatures that have been roaming the earth since prehistoric times. One of the best places to see crocodiles in Florida is also Everglades National Park!. FWC. ***Christmas Light Footage was recorded in January 2021 from Tween Waters Resort. Nov. 23, 2015: Brevard County deputies determined that Matthew Riggins, 22, was killed by an alligator in a Barefoot Bay lake while possibly hiding to avoid law enforcement. Please do your part in protecting the Island's wildlife by not feeding alligators. If you encounter a nuisance alligator or see someone feeding an alligator, IMMEDIATELY CONTACT THE SANIBEL POLICE DEPARTMENT AT (239) 472-3111. Second, a full grown alligator can exist on one raccoon for months. 239-267-1317 They should move the big ones to where theyre not around people.. The cause of death was listed as systemic inflammatory response syndrome.. It is a celebration of nature at its finest. According to the state Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Melsek was the 14th person to be killed by a gator in Florida since 1973. Authorities shot the alligator after Okkerse's body was found. They manage over 1200 acres of conserved land. To have it end this way is just so sad.. Theyre just being alligators. Robert Steele, 81 . Bryan Griffin was pulled under after friends repeatedly warned him to get out of the water. Police Chief Bill Tomlinson said hes been asked to make a presentation on city policies and the alligator complaints the city has recorded. Were invading their territory. If you encounter a nuisance alligator or see someone feeding an alligator, IMMEDIATELY CONTACT THE SANIBEL POLICE DEPARTMENT AT (239) 472-3111. Remember they are an important part of Sanibels natural history as well as an integral component of our freshwater ecosystem. Harrity couldnt be reached for comment. Re: Snakes or alligators on Captiva? The 92 alligator was removed from the property, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Janie Melsek Photo: The News-Press. The alligator,. Do not swim in water inhabited by Alligators. "She kicked it and it let her go.". He was taken to an area hospital; his current condition is unknown at this time. Twenty-five of those attacks were fatal, including two in Lee County both on Sanibel Island in 2001 and 2004. Enter your message or notes here to be included in the email. Steve Yetsko who called Sanibel police officers the real heroes in Melseks rescue said hes never had a serious problem with a gator. Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. There were three in the truck, but the one from the attack is the biggest one. Jeannie Pitts was throwing the frisbee with her dog, Honey, when a gator. Officials said the man was able to free himself and call 911. When the weather starts to warm, alligators become active, feeding more, looking for new territories and mating. Medical professionals applied a commercial-grade tourniquet and took the man to a hospital. A woman who had worked on Sanibel for many years was attacked by an alligator while working. According to Sanibel Fire Department, a 25-year-old man was attacked around 11:06 AM along a pond near Baileys General Store located at 2477 Periwinkle Way. []. "The trappers are saying maybe three or four foot (deep).". 500,000 open heart surgeries are performed in the U.S. every year, and half of those patients require a blood transfusion. Attached to the Shipley Trail and close to the Bailey Homestead. A woman's service dog had a near death experience when an alligator lunged for it off the Sanibel Causeway recently. Poor Janie is the one who had to suffer for it.. "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. The gator reached up and grabbed his arm, Abo said. The gator, a 12-foot, 3-inch male was removed and destroyed. Therefore, swim only during daylight hours. Guide To Waterfront Dining. The animal rescue said that she had arthritis and could barely walk when she was found. Utilities Department 24hr Emergency Hotline: Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. Police shot the reptile to death before rushing Melsek to Lee Memorial Hospital in Fort Myers. Friends said he swam in the park every day. , there was a time they almost became extinct. The attack happened on the 2400 block of Periwinkle Way around 11:00 am. Beaches remain closed on the island without boardwalks, and debris is scattered everywhere. At the last check, the victim is in the hospital but is expected to be okay. It usually sat on the bank across the pond, she said. The City of Sanibel and its authorized agents are authorized to receive and appropriately . If you see an alligator, the best thing to do is leave it alone. 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 John C. Goede: Can changes be made to common areas without members' approval? They are a protected species and given the percentage of conservation land on the island are a common sight that is to be celebrated.