SANIBEL, Fla. (WSVN) Rescue teams saved a mans life after a harrowing alligator attack in Sanibel. A photo of the aftermath of the attack is so graphic we had to blur it, but with a closer . If you encounter a nuisance alligator or see someone feeding an alligator, IMMEDIATELY CONTACT THE SANIBEL POLICE DEPARTMENT AT (239) 472-3111. Leave alligators alone. "But hes a pretty tough old boy. Come see htem for yourself and book your next Sanibel Holiday vacation. Five years ago last week Sanibel Island landscaper Janie Melsek lost her life to complications from an alligator attack. I am linking the report. Guide To Waterfront Dining. Name, age, sex Date . She suffered a broken thumb and gashes on a leg. Donna Yetsko recalled seeing the gator that attacked Melsek at least twice a week. Copyright 2023 Waterman Broadcasting of Florida, LLC, Home News Local Man seriously injured after alligator attack on Sanibel. 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. 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. 20351 Summerlin Rd, Fort Myers, FL 33908 Enter your message or notes here to be included in the email. During the emergency Thursday, bystanders and the victim fashioned a makeshift tourniquet out of an orange power chord, wrapping it around his upper arm before paramedics arrived. WSVN-TVSunbeam Television Corp Its the sunshine state! Remember they are an important part of Sanibels natural history as well as an integral component of our freshwater ecosystem. Alligator attacks man who was washing hands in pond - Sun Sentinel The man was able to free himself and call 911, but sustained serious injury to his right forearm. 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. Four of those deaths involve a child under age 5. Sanibel Fires Division Chief Tim Barrett told Fox 4 that the alligator was between 8 and 10 feet long. It is during these times that alligator sightings are most prevalent. 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. 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. I think they shouldnt let them get that big. Observe and photograph alligators only from 30 feet or more away. 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. Beaches remain closed on the island without boardwalks, and debris is scattered everywhere. Never let small children play by themselves near freshwater. Never allow small children to play by themselves near water. Miami, FL 33141 Were invading their territory. According to officers, the man was washing his hands in the pond when the alligator attacked.. 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, They are a protected species and given the percentage of conservation land on the island are a common sight that is to. The Truth About Alligators on Sanibel Island, The Best Sanibel Stories Come from Guests. Abo has treated several alligator bites over the years, and commented on dangers of human-alligator run-ins. The following is a list of safety tips to ensure that your time spent on Sanibel is both rewarding and safe. Its the sunshine state! The decorative pond is about the size of a swimming pool, said Sanibel Police Maj. Michael Murray. The man was able to free himself and call 911, but sustained serious injury to his right forearm, according to a release by the city of Sanibel. Feeding alligators is a criminal act, punishable with up to a $500 fine and 60 days in jail. A pretty good size gatorabout 8 to 10 feet gator came up and grabbed him by the arm. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge when the gator dragged him into the water. We can tell you how to appreciate these mighty creatures safely, respectfully, and responsibly. Stay 50 feet away from an Alligator, though they may seem lethargic, they can move fast and run up to 35 mph especially during the warmer summer months. The City of Sanibel and its authorized agents are authorized to receive and appropriately . 2000s. It seems to have worked for years. Crews are starting the long-term repairs after Hurricane Ian, causing traffic jams in Southwest Florida. WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports | Fort Lauderdale, Coral Gables resident still refuses to sell decades-old home surrounded by massive development, Broward County pastor faces several fraud, grand theft charges after defrauding church, Gunman dead after hours-long SWAT standoff at SW Miami-Dade apartment complex, Police: Man fatally shot 3-year-old son, himself inside Coconut Grove condo, Police arrest student who made false bomb threat at Dillard High School; classes resume. WSVN broadcast educational and informational programming for children, and file quarterly reports with the FCC detailing the station's outreach to children. 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. Jane C. Keefer, 74, of Sanibel, was attacked April 21 by a gator in the yard of her Blue Heron Drive home. The victim fell into a pond in a gated community in Hilton Head Island, . The. 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. She had toxic levels of alcohol and an anti-depression drug in her body, and authorities believed she was attacked on land and dragged into the canal. Mayor Marty Harrity met Friday with directors of the Sanibel and Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce. Do not throw them in the water. She heard a loud splash and when she turned around her son was gone. Officials said the man was able to free himself and call 911. Recently, an alligator in a pond on Sanibel Island attacked a man who was washing his hands in the water. "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. 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. Denial is not just a river in Egypt this can happen and does happen. 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. There have been 22 fatalities attributed to alligator bites and attacks since 1973, records show. FWC. Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. A fish kill is filling up the water in Southwest Florida. U.S. news An 88-year-old woman was killed in a suspected alligator attack at a gated community near Hilton Head, S.C. "It was guarding her and did not want people close by," a law enforcement. 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! Guide to Captiva Restaurants Despite a pretty gnarly bite, hes going to be OK, and his arm is going to be saved, Abo said. They say theres 300 of them on this island.. 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. Authorities shot the alligator after Okkerse's body was found. Greenstein said hes not worried Sanibel which depends heavily on tourism could become known as a dangerous place because of gators. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . Copyright 2023 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. Sept. 11, 2001:82-year-old Robert Steele had his leg severed and bled to death when he was attacked by a 10-foot alligator while walking his dog by a canal on Sanibel Island. A press release from the City of Sanibel stated the man was using the pond to wash his hands when the alligator bit his right arm. Theyre not in our yard, were in their territory. A womans service dog had a near death experience when an alligator lunged for it off the Sanibel Causeway recently. Alligators On Sanibel Island - The SanCap Guide It's the sunshine state! Observe and photograph alligators only from a distance. is 6,400 Acres of preserved and undeveloped mangrove ecosystem land. "But the gators are out here. Sanibel contains over 2,200 acres of freshwater wetlands that provide habitat for a sizable population of alligators. SANIBEL, Fla. A man was hospitalized after an alligator bit him on the arm. They find their way back is what they do.. Florida is one of their favorite habitats, of course! Since many of the residential neighborhoods on the Island contain lakes or interface with conservation lands containing wetlands, interaction between humans and alligators is likely. They did say the gator will be put asleep. The toddler, from Nebraska, was vacationing. They outlasted dinosaurs! Luckily, all three got away without injuries. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Alligator on the beach - Sanibel Island! 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. Campbell was a Tennessee visitor who was snorkeling in a secluded recreation area. 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.. Many attacks occur when people do not pay close enough attention to their surroundings when working or recreating near water. Olin was taken to HealthPark Medical Center in Fort Myers for appropriate treatment, to include antibiotics to ward off any infection. An alligator is seen during a kayak tour near Everglades City on Dec. 2. The cause of death was listed as systemic inflammatory response syndrome.. That gator was killed and another 6-foot gator was removed. The 450-pound alligator was killed. These feared but fascinating creatures are common on the island. His mother told authorities he had been standing in knee-deep water picking water lilies for her. A trapper killed the alligator suspected in the attack. According to the press release, the man suffered a serious injury to his right forearm. It usually sat on the bank across the pond, she said. 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. A chamber employee told a reporter the meeting was about alligators. Fifth, alligators can be lighting fast when they see you are in striking distance, 15 feet or less from them and the water. These feared but fascinating creatures are common on the island. It will be euthanized. There are many misconceptions about Alligators but they are still dangerous and as humans, we have to behave, Forgotten Sanibel Recipe Lemon Pecten Cakes, Local Sanibel Artist Rachel Pierce Hurricane Ian & Pop Up Shops, Sanibel Bailey Tract Trails & Meditation Hike! A woman's service dog had a near death experience when an alligator lunged for it off the Sanibel Causeway recently. An alligator was trapped and removed from the area. Ironically, Olin lives on the same street as Sanibel's only other fatal gator attack victim. 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.". John C. Goede: Can changes be made to common areas without members' approval? Robert Steele, 81 . The man was able to free himself and call 911, but sustained serious injury to his right. 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. Do not harass Alligators in any manner. Wetmore suffered from dementia and was believed to have wandered away from his home. Early reports that the gator was about 4-feet-long proved wrong once trappers captured the critter. . 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. Fourth, most deaths by alligators are not from blood loss or even from drowning. (Amy Beth Bennett/South Florida Sun Sentinel). No Collier County attacks are included on FWC's list of fatal alligator attacks. It was evident that hed lost a lot of blood and potentially had other damage to his tendons, Abo said. Among the fascinating animals and birds to observe is the mighty Alligator. They should move the big ones to where theyre not around people.. There are several places to spot Alligators on Sanibel and, they are most active in the warmer months. Its sad to see people cant go out in the yard and garden, said Cardenas, 34. She later died of the wounds. 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.. The attack on Melsek made headlines internationally because of a heroic effort to save her by several men who heard her screams and Sanibel Police officers who rushed to her aid. Weve encroached upon their turf. Murray said he doesn't recall any other Sanibel gator attacks on humans recently. Observe and photograph alligators only from 30 feet or more away. 1 Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources 2 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 3 Georgia Department of Natural Resources 4 South Carolina Department of Natural Resources 5 University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Wildlife Damage Management 6 Texas Parks and Wildlife Department . SANIBEL ISLAND, Fla. -- Janie Melseks death Friday morning had many people on Sanibel talking about the same thing alligators. An alligator in a pond on Sanibel Island attacked a man who was washing his hands in the water. I dont know that were getting a reputation for it, Greenstein said. Alligators can climb and quite well, just something to be aware of. Steve Yetsko who called Sanibel police officers the real heroes in Melseks rescue said hes never had a serious problem with a gator. GatorBites Tail & Ale By the beginning of April, when the weather starts to warm, alligators become active, feeding more, looking for new territories and mating. Many people were calling for city officials to do something about the reptiles that have attacked three people on Sanibel since September 2001, killing two of them. Weve had too many attacks recently, I think, said Smith, 62. A 54-year-old landscaper, Melsek was attacked Wednesday by an alligator that was 11 feet, 9 inches long and weighed 457 pounds. The attack happened on the 2400 block of Periwinkle Way around 11:00 am. The man was able to free. Trappers later caught and killed an 8-1/2-foot alligator that had some of her body parts in its belly. It is the bite alone which is so full of bacteria that it kills by infection. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says you can call its nuisance alligator hotline at 866-392-4286 if you are concerned about a gator. There is no way she (Olin) could have seen it.". 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. Florida Fish and Wildlife and a Florida State trapper arrived on the scene to capture the alligator, according to the City of Sanibel. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers, along with a Florida State trapper, searched the area in an attempt to capture the alligator. March 22, 1997: An 11-foot alligator was discovered swimming protectively near the body of 3-year-old Adam Binford in a lake in Volusia County, a mile from where he had disappeared the day before. If you want to go there, you will want to go there before you really start driving to Sanibel Island. About three hours after the attack, first responders were able to get the gator out of the pond. For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy, and Terms of Service. Police Chief Bill Tomlinson said hes been asked to make a presentation on city policies and the alligator complaints the city has recorded. Pitts grabbed her smaller dog, and Honey was able to run away from the gator unscathed. Fatality Rate: Alligator Attacks = 4.3% Shark Attacks = 1.5%. Police just captured the gator that bit a mans arm on Sanibel Island. Third, during winter months, alligators are lethargic and pretty much just lay around. Remember they are an important part of Sanibels natural history as well as an integral component of our freshwater ecosystem. Never feed Alligators, this will cause them to lose their natural fear of humans and associate humans with food. Its the orange cord wrapped around his arm. 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. The dog, Jazzy, was found abandoned in a hotel room in Orlando earlier this month, Orange County Animal Services said on Facebook. Firefighters are battling several brush fires in Charlotte County; the one off McCall Road threatens several buildings, including a church. A Sanibel landscaper was attacked by a 6-foot alligator Wednesday and escaped with stitches to her hand. The myth that they cant catch you if you run in a zig zag is not true. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The animal will be euthanized. Crews said the victim was washing is hands in a pond. The alligator believed to be responsible was killed. Contrary to popular belief, they have good eyesight and, their blind spot is in front of their nose. They rushed to the scene to help the wounded man. SANIBEL, Fla. . Also, understand that if youre near a nest, theyre going to be protective.. She fought back and survived after being treated at a hospital. All rights reserved, BSO Searching forMissing 11-Year-Old Girl From Pompano Beach, Miami-Dade Animal Services Temporarily Suspends Some Services Due to Bacterial Outbreak, Miami-Dade Mayor, State Attorney Announce New Measures to Protect HOA Residents, Check Your Change! FULL STORY:https://t.co/s8YiqlIH9V pic.twitter.com/HIf2fsEoQj. They manage over 1200 acres of conserved land. Attached to the Shipley Trail and close to the Bailey Homestead. Utilities Department 24hr Emergency Hotline: Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. Then, they dragged it in on shore and away from the water to be euthanized. Sanibel Island is an incredible place to experience nature. What do we expect?. The cause of death was listed as "systemic inflammatory response syndrome." July 23, 2004: Landscaper Janie Melsek, 54, died from a severe infection two days after she was mauled by a 12-foot, 457-pound alligator on Sanibel Island. Swim in the daytime, Alligators are most active at night. Pond Apple Trail 1159 Causeway Road. Yetsko and his wife, Donna Yetsko, 51, were doing yard work of their own Friday when they learned Melsek had died. 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. 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. "She kicked it and it let her go.". At least four people have been killed in alligator incidents this year in the U.S., two in Florida. We just want to see a sensible distance between the two! Since alligators are cold-blooded reptiles, their metabolic rate increases and decreases as water and air temperatures fluctuate. This was the first recorded fatal alligator attack in Texas since 1836. If you see an alligator, the best thing to do is leave it alone. SANIBEL, Fla. (WSVN) Rescue teams saved a man's life after a harrowing alligator attack in Sanibel. The 12th was Robert Steele, 81, who died on Sept. 11, 2001, after being bitten near his home off Rabbit Road, not far from where Melsek was attacked. Sanibel Island is an incredible place to experience nature. "Thankfully Lauri's OK," Murray said. It is a celebration of nature at its finest. There are many misconceptions about Alligators but they are still dangerous and as humans, we have to behave respectfully and sensibly towards them. During cooler months, alligators are generally lethargic and do not move around much. A 12-foot alligator had been spotted in the lake twice the day before his body was found, forcing the park to close temporarily each time. Therefore, swim only during daylight hours. They are a protected species and given the percentage of conservation land on the island are a common sight that is to be celebrated. Enter one or more recipient email addresses separated by commas or spaces. Allison Christian faces a charge of aggravated animal cruelty, according to an arrest report. High humidity will make our afternoon feels like temperatures reach the 90s in many spots. If you see anything and the gators appear to be nuisance, call the Sanibel police. They attack somebody and they take them out and kill them. []. 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. Poor Janie is the one who had to suffer for it.. Now we've decided to share a little sunshine with those all over the world! "A landscaping woman was clearing out weeds in the decorative pond when she reached in and an alligator came up and grabbed her," Adams said. The alligator,. The man was able to free himself from the. 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. 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. Luckily the man could pull himself free, but he lost a lot of blood. The construction can be seen all around, along with cranes, tools, and the crews doing all the work. 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! A trapper later killed the alligator. Full story: https://t.co/s8YiqlIH9V pic.twitter.com/E1AvLHu7IS, Hes a big guy, he said his arm was hurting pretty good," said Sanibel Fire's Division Chief Tim Barrett. State law prohibits killing, feeding, harassing or possession of alligators. 2023 Sanibel Holiday All rights reserved. 239-395-7671, Copyright 2020 - 2021|Avada Theme by. see crocodiles in an area called Flamingo in the Everglades that's located pretty far out of the way.. 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. An alligator in a pond on Sanibel Island attacked a man who was washing his hands in the water. Re: Snakes or alligators on Captiva? If you see an alligator, the best thing to do is leave it alone. Janie Melsek, 54, was attacked Wednesday by the. The tourniquet was lifesaving. 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. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our. Sept. 11, 2001, 82-year-old Robert Steele had his leg severed and bled to death when he was attacked by a 10-foot alligator while walking his dog by a Sanibel Island canal. It was a bit of a struggle, Chief Barett said. Latest News Updates for Sanibel Island & SWFL. Alligators on Sanibel are very interesting creatures that have been roaming the earth since prehistoric times. One of the biggest issues people are dealing with when it comes to insurance after Hurricane Ian is property damage. 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. Chamber Executive Director Steve Greenstein insisted that wasnt true. But what is the Florida Department of Transportation actually doing on the Sanibel Causeway? 1401 79th Street Causeway Besides that, doctors said, hes going to be just fine. "All of a sudden a trapper saw it and hooked it. Since 1948, 491 people have been bitten.
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