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Alligator attacks woman paddling in Polk County: FWC

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Published  March 3, 2025 5:25pm EST
Polk County
FOX 13 News

The Brief

    • A woman was attacked by an alligator in Polk County on Monday, according to FWC.
    • Few details have been released, but FWC says the woman was bitten on her elbow while she was paddling at Tiger Creek Canal in Polk County.
    • The woman was taken to an area hospital to be treated for her injuries.

BABSON PARK, Fla. - A woman was hospitalized on Monday after officials with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said she was bitten by an alligator at Tiger Creek Canal in Polk County. 

Alligator attack

What we know:

The FWC said the woman was paddling when an alligator bit her on the elbow. 

She was taken to an area hospital to be treated for her injuries. 

Video: Florida gator stops traffic to take turtle across the street

A contracted nuisance alligator trapper has been dispatched to remove the alligator.

What we don't know:

It is unclear how severely the woman was injured. 

How to prevent alligator attacks

According to FWC, serious injuries caused by alligators are rare in Florida. 

What you can do:

The FWC recommends taking the following precautions to reduce the chances of alligator incidents: 

  • Keep a safe distance if you see an alligator. If someone is concerned about an alligator, they should call FWC’s toll-free Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286), and a contracted nuisance alligator trapper will be dispatched to resolve the situation.
  • Keep pets on a leash and away from the water’s edge. Pets often resemble alligators’ natural prey.
  • Swim only in designated swimming areas during daylight hours and without your pet. Alligators are most active between dusk and dawn.
  • Never feed an alligator. It’s illegal and dangerous. When fed, alligators can lose their natural wariness and instead learn to associate people with the availability of food. This can lead to an alligator becoming a nuisance and needing to be removed from the wild.

Editor's Note: The Polk County Sheriff’s Office initially reported the alligator attack took place at Tiger Creek Preserve, however they have since revised their statement as the incident in fact took place at Tiger Creek Canal.  

The Source: This story was written with information provided by the FWC. 

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