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One killed, one injured in weekend Florida alligator attacks, FWC says

By Ashley Ferrer, USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida USA Today Network via Reuters Connect
A large alligator rests along the shore at Deep Hole, a 131-foot sink hole at the south end of Lower Myakka Lake at Myakka River State Park. The area is designated as a wilderness preserve and is limited to just 30 visitors per day.
A large alligator rests along the shore at Deep Hole, a 131-foot sink hole at the south end of Lower Myakka Lake at Myakka River State Park. The area is designated as a wilderness preserve and is limited to just 30 visitors per day. Herald-Tribune archive/Mike Lang USA TODAY Network, Reuters

Two people were bitten by alligators in Florida over the weekend, Saturday, June 27 and Sunday, June 28, according to authorities.

A juvenile was bitten on the hand by an 8'7" alligator while fishing Saturday at Nelson's Fish Camp in Umatilla, and a woman was attacked while swimming with friends in the Little Big Econ River on Sunday, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the Seminole County Fire Department.

The bites mark the second and third recent alligator encounters in Central Florida within the past few days. Last week, a snorkeler was bitten at Rainbow River in Marion County.

The juvenile victim was taken to the hospital and has since been released, though the extent of the injuries was not shared, WKMG-TV reported. The alligator was killed by an officer after the incident, says the FWC.

Meanwhile, the woman was transported to a nearby hospital as a trauma alert, where she later died from her injuries, according to WESH.

Here's what we know.

Where is Nelson's Fish Camp in Florida?

Nelson's Fish Camp, now known as Nelson's Outdoor Resort, is located at 19400 SE Hwy 42, Umatilla, Florida.

The resort is a longtime Central Florida camping and fishing destination set along the banks of the Ocklawaha River on State Route 42, according to its official website.

The park was later reopened to swimmers following the removal of the 8-foot alligator, according to FWC.

An alligator attack killed a woman June 28 in Seminole County

A woman died June 28 after being bitten by an alligator while swimming with friends in the Little Big Econ River in Seminole County.

The Seminole County Sheriff's Office, Seminole County Fire Department and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission responded to the scene near the Econlockhatchee River.

"She was transported to a hospital as a trauma alert, where she later died from her injuries," according to WESH.

An alligator attack on snorkeler shut down Rainbow River last week

Rainbow River reopened following a recent incident where a snorkeler was bitten by an alligator, Marion County Sheriff's Office announced on social media Sunday evening, June 21.

Deputies assisted the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) in locating the alligator, which has been removed from the area, according to the post.

How often do alligator attacks occur in Florida?

While alligator attacks aren't uncommon in Florida, deaths from them are, even though alligators are present in every county in the state. The FWC says the chances of a Florida resident being seriously injured in an unprovoked alligator attack are one in 3.1 million.

Since the state started tracking alligator bites on people in 1948, and as of the end of 2024 there have been 487 unprovoked bites from wild alligators, according to FWC data. Of those, 339 were major bites and 27 were fatal.

How to stay safe in Florida where there are alligators

GatorWise is an educational website designed to "promote realistic public perceptions about alligators and assist the public in taking appropriate actions to minimize conflict."

The site offers easy-to-understand tips and some basic information about the reptiles and where they live, including:

  • Assume alligators are present
  • Never feed alligators
  • Don't dispose of fish or food scraps in water
  • Never harass, capture, or handle an alligator
  • Be responsible for people and pets in your care
  • Maintain awareness anytime you are in or near water

What do I do if I see an alligator?

If you encounter an alligator you think will be a threat to people, pets or property, call the FWC's Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 1‐866‐FWC‐GATOR (392‐4286) or visit myfwc.com.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: One killed, one injured in weekend Florida alligator attacks, FWC says

Reporting by Ashley Ferrer, USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida / The Daytona Beach News-Journal

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

A plethora of alligators and white pelicans inhabit Deep Hole in Myakka River State Park east of Sarasota.
A plethora of alligators and white pelicans inhabit Deep Hole in Myakka River State Park east of Sarasota. Herald-Tribune archive/Dan Wagne USA TODAY Network, Reuters

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect

This story was originally published June 29, 2026 at 9:17 AM.