A woman swimming in the Silver River in Marion County was bitten on the arm Saturday by a 9-foot-8-inch alligator, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Rescue, response and reopening
Good Samaritans at the scene pulled the woman from the water and brought her to shore. She was then taken to a hospital for treatment, FWC said. Following the incident, Marion County Parks and Recreation temporarily closed the Silver River while FWC officers and a contracted nuisance alligator trapper worked to capture the animal. The river reopened to the public Sunday.
The FWC described the animal as a 9-foot-8-inch alligator. Officials did not release the woman’s name or details about her condition beyond confirming she received hospital treatment.
Context: recent alligator incidents in Florida
State wildlife officials noted the attack comes amid several similar reports across Florida in recent weeks. In late June, three attacks were reported within a seven-day span, including a June 21 incident on the Rainbow River in Central Florida, where an 8-foot alligator bit a snorkeler who later received treatment for injuries.
The recent uptick also follows a fatal incident in July when a 21-year-old woman, Brittany Clark of Orlando, was killed by an alligator in Seminole County while in a river near Little Big Econ State Forest, FWC reported. The commission reiterated that alligator attacks in Florida are rare despite high public attention when they occur.
What officials advise
FWC continues to advise that people recreate with caution in waters that can be habitat for alligators, avoid swimming at dawn or dusk when alligators can be more active, and keep pets and small children away from the water’s edge. Anyone concerned about an alligator can call the FWC’s toll-free Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-392-4286.
- Incident: Bite to a swimmer’s arm by a 9-foot-8-inch alligator
- Location: Silver River, Marion County
- Immediate action: River closed briefly; FWC officers and a contracted nuisance trapper captured the alligator
- Contact: FWC Nuisance Alligator Hotline — 866-392-4286
Public-use areas and management
Marion County Parks and Recreation made the decision to close the river to allow wildlife officials to respond. Temporary closures are a common management tool used to protect public safety while the FWC evaluates and removes animals deemed a risk. The county reopened the Silver River to visitors on Sunday after the capture.
FWC classifies most human-alligator interactions as rare but not impossible, given the state’s large alligator population and the popularity of rivers, springs and lakes for recreation. The agency’s nuisance alligator program handles reports of alligators that are considered a threat to people or pets, particularly in developed or heavily used recreation areas.
Precautions for river users
Recreationists should take common-sense steps to reduce risk: avoid swimming alone, stay in designated swimming areas where available, keep a safe distance from floating vegetation and shoreline cover where alligators may hide, and do not feed wildlife. Fed alligators can lose their natural fear of people and become bolder, increasing risks to the public.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Alligator size | 9 ft. 8 in. |
| Location | Silver River, Marion County |
| Response | FWC officers and contracted nuisance trapper; temporary closure |
| FWC hotline | 866-392-4286 |
Officials encourage anyone who witnesses an alligator displaying aggressive behavior or posing a threat to people or pets to report it immediately to the FWC hotline. The commission evaluates reports and prioritizes removal of animals that present a public-safety concern.
As this story develops, FWC and Marion County updates will provide any additional details about the woman’s condition and the outcome of the agency’s investigation into the incident.
