A harrowing 911 call revealed a tragedy where an alligator attacked a woman in Florida Sunday afternoon.
“Someone got bit by a gator,” the woman’s boyfriend said in the call obtained by WESH. “Both her arms are dislocated ... off basically ... one arm is completely off.”
The woman was rushed to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead, according to reports. The attack happened while swimming in the Econlockhatchee River at the Little Big Econ State Forest, per per CNN. The area is about 30 miles from the coast.
2 gators captured
In the aftermath, two massive alligators were caught and DNA analysis was conducted. One measured 13 feet and the other is 12 feet long.
Once the attacking alligator is determined, Florida Fish and Wildlife will likely euthanize it, as it is deemed a threat to the public.
Euthanizing the reptiles is almost always the response following any human attack, since relocation does not work. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife, alligators are very territorial and have a strong homing sense, usually finding their way back to the area.
Since the gator has lost its fear of humans, the public threat must be eradicated.
Not the first
The woman’s death is the third reported alligator attack this week after an 8-foot-7 gator bit a youngster’s hand while fishing with his dad the day before, the New York Post reported.
The alligator in the reported incident was captured and killed.
Earlier in the week a 19-year-old was the first of the attacks, bitten around the head and neck area, suffering “deep cuts.” The teen was treated and released at a hospital.
Why the gators are attacking
Chad Weber of Florida Fish and Wildlife urged anyone swimming in water to be extra mindful.
“In the state of Florida ... any body of water can potentially have an alligator in it,” he said.
Concerning the reason behind the attacks, Weber speculates “low water levels” and “the end of mating season,” among other reasons, could factor into gators becoming more territorial.