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. If you encounter a nuisance alligator or see someone feeding an alligator, IMMEDIATELY CONTACT THE SANIBEL POLICE DEPARTMENT AT (239) 472-3111. Yetsko and his wife, Donna Yetsko, 51, were doing yard work of their own Friday when they learned Melsek had died. 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! Third, during winter months, alligators are lethargic and pretty much just lay around. Top 9 Beautiful Beaches On Sanibel & Captiva Island 2022, 19 Best Restaurants On Sanibel Island 2022: A Local's Guide, The Ultimate Local Guide To Shelling On Sanibel Island 2022, 1619 Periwinkle Way, Suite 104 Sometimes they will use a big hook, and a large piece of meat and throw it out there and catch him, Chief Barrett said. There have been 22 fatalities attributed to alligator bites and attacks since 1973, records show. But some may take the signs to heart in such a way that inhibits their enjoyment of the island. Around 2:00 in the afternoon first responders were able to get the alligator out of the pond. "But the gators are out here. Expect sustained winds between ten to twenty miles per hour, with wind gusts as strong as thirty []. . Also, understand that if youre near a nest, theyre going to be protective.. The attack occurred at a pond near 2477 Periwinkle Way, which abuts Frannies Preserve, a forested area with hiking trails, and a few blocks south of J.N. According to Sanibel Fire Department, a 25-year-old man was attacked. Its the orange cord wrapped around his arm. 2023 Sanibel Holiday All rights reserved. 239-395-7671, Copyright 2020 - 2021|Avada Theme by. Do not allow pets to swim, exercise, or drink in waters that may contain alligators or in designated swimming areas with humans. The cause of death was listed as systemic inflammatory response syndrome.. The primary factor in the evaluation is determining the potential danger posed by an alligator or crocodile. 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. 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. According to officers, the man was washing his hands in the pond when the alligator attacked.. There is no way she (Olin) could have seen it.". They are native to Mexico, China, and the United States. An alligator was trapped and removed from the area. 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. Oct. 19, 2015: The body of 62-year-old James Okkerse was found floating in Blue Springs State Park in central Florida with injuries consistent with an alligator attack. SANIBEL, Fla. A man was hospitalized after an alligator bit him on the arm. Since alligators are cold-blooded reptiles, their metabolic rate increases and decreases as water and air temperatures fluctuate. Crews are starting the long-term repairs after Hurricane Ian, causing traffic jams in Southwest Florida. Sanibel Fire said people at the scene were able to make a tourniquet for the man before medics arrived. There were three in the truck, but the one from the attack is the biggest one. Fourth, most deaths by alligators are not from blood loss or even from drowning. SANIBEL, Fla. . 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. Re: Snakes or alligators on Captiva? The latest bite brings to eight the number of people bitten by gators this year in Florida. Lauri Olin, 56, of Rabbit Road on Sanibel, was working for Wilson Landscape and Pond when a 6-foot, 7-inch gator grabbed her hand while she worked at 5206 Punta Caloosa Court, said Officer Joanne Adams, a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokeswoman. 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. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. Miami, FL 33141 SANIBEL, Fla. (WSVN) Rescue teams saved a mans life after a harrowing alligator attack in Sanibel. Florida is one of their favorite habitats, of course! Learn More He was taken to an area hospital; his current condition is unknown at this time. Pitts grabbed her smaller dog, and Honey was able to run away from the gator unscathed. Once endangered, alligators now number more than 1 million, state officials believe. Trappers later killed 10 alligators in the Dead River, including one they decided was responsible. Authorities confirmed that the victim was from Arkansas and was a construction worker focused on recovery from Hurricane Ian, which decimated the area in September. see crocodiles in an area called Flamingo in the Everglades that's located pretty far out of the way.. One of the best places to see crocodiles in Florida is also Everglades National Park!. (Amy Beth Bennett/South Florida Sun Sentinel). Melsek was just two years younger than Olin when a gator attacked her while she was doing landscaping on July 21, 2004, on Poinciana Circle near a pond. Please do your part in protecting the Islands wildlife by not feeding alligators. 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! Do not let your small pets, such as dogs drink from or swim in, freshwater. Medical professionals applied a commercial-grade tourniquet and took the man to a hospital. Bryan Griffin was pulled under after friends repeatedly warned him to get out of the water. 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. 8:49 PM EST, Mon December 19, 2022 A A SANIBEL, Fla. A man was hospitalized after an alligator bit him on the arm. So he wants everyone to remember to be cautious. 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. Administrative Services/ Human Resources/ Benefits/ Pensions, Business Tax Receipts (formerly Occupational Licenses), Police including Emergency Management Forms, Register with AlertLee for Emergency Announcements, Register for Recreation Center Activities, City of Sanibel Demographics - April 27, 2021, Commercial Hurricane Re-Entry Application. Please do your part in protecting the Island's wildlife by not feeding alligators. I thought she was pulling through, Steve Yetsko said. The dog, Jazzy, was found abandoned in a hotel room in Orlando earlier this month, Orange County Animal Services said on Facebook. The singular exception may be the presence of alligators, and you will see signs warning about them posted throughout the Island. Do not throw them in the water. Florida is one of their favorite habitats, of course! According to the press release, the man suffered a serious injury to his right forearm. Pond Apple Trail 1159 Causeway Road. Guide to Sanibel Restaurants A nearby alligator behaved aggressively toward the divers, and was trapped and euthanized. Guide to Captiva Restaurants If you would like to watch t. Never feed or entice alligators it is dangerous and illegal. A trapper killed the alligator suspected in the attack. Donna Yetsko recalled seeing the gator that attacked Melsek at least twice a week. Kati Sherrard, who was hired to be the [], An alligator was captured in a Sanibel pond Thursday afternoon after the reptile seriously injured a man working on the island. They need to do something about it., Its unbelievable, said Rudder, 39. The attack happened on the 2400 block of Periwinkle Way around 11:00 am. The gator released Melsek after a five- to 10-minute tug of war with the gator on one side of her and police on the other. One of the biggest issues people are dealing with when it comes to insurance after Hurricane Ian is property damage. 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. Fifth, alligators can be lighting fast when they see you are in striking distance, 15 feet or less from them and the water. Despite the frightening encounter, that man is expected to recover. State law prohibits killing, feeding, harassing or possession of alligators. 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. Why were all of a sudden having a problem if what weve had is a problem I dont know., Before returning to his chores in a thicket next to his house, Yetsko said he hopes Sanibel residents can continue to live in harmony with nature., I guess you can do it, he said. , there was a time they almost became extinct. They rushed to the scene to help the wounded man. Remember they are an important part of Sanibels natural history as well as an integral component of our freshwater ecosystem. In April 2004, a 74-year-old woman was grabbed by the leg and pulled underwater by a 9-foot, 7-inch gator. Many attacks occur when people do not pay close enough attention to their surroundings when working or recreating near water. Murray said it was skinny for an alligator. Latest News Updates for Sanibel Island & SWFL. Copyright 2023 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. Sanibel officials plan to meet Tuesday, Aug. 3, to discuss city policies on gators, which Councilman Steve Brown says may be too liberal. A Sanibel landscaper was attacked by a 6-foot alligator Wednesday and escaped with stitches to her hand. Alligators can climb and quite well, just something to be aware of. 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. 500,000 open heart surgeries are performed in the U.S. every year, and half of those patients require a blood transfusion. Man seriously injured after alligator attack on Sanibel, Tom Sizemore, 'Saving Private Ryan' star dies at 61. "Pretty much every body of water has an alligator in it, including some swimming pools," Chief Barrett said. Golf Courses The 2 best golf courses to Gator spot are The Dunes and Sanibel Island Golf Club. 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. A pretty good size gatorabout 8 to 10 feet gator came up and grabbed him by the arm. Count on NBC2 to bring you the latest developments on this story. Dispose of fish scraps in garbage cans at freshwater boat ramps, docks or fish camps. Robert Steele, 81 . There are numerous nature trails to explore and a huge wildlife refuge. An alligator is seen during a kayak tour near Everglades City on Dec. 2. 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 tourniquet was lifesaving. A word to the wise should be sufficient. They attack somebody and they take them out and kill them. She later died of the wounds. 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. Small, tropical, inviting, it is easy to feel that there is not a worry in the world while vacationing on Sanibel. I thought about whether to post this news or. The public may view the reports by going to WSVN.com and clicking on "FCC Public File", or by visiting the FCC's website at FCC.org. The 450-pound alligator was killed. Luckily the man could pull himself free, but he lost a lot of blood. John C. Goede: Can changes be made to common areas without members' approval? Weve encroached upon their turf. According to the state Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Melsek was the 14th person to be killed by a gator in Florida since 1973. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our. If you want to go there, you will want to go there before you really start driving to Sanibel Island. Come see htem for yourself and book your next Sanibel Holiday vacation. The man was able to free himself and call . At least four people have been killed in alligator incidents this year in the U.S., two in Florida. Attached to the Shipley Trail and close to the Bailey Homestead. The 2-year-old Nebraska boy snatched by an alligator at a lake. Its the sunshine state! Lee County announced that several beach parksLynn Hall Memorial Park, San Carlos Bay-Bunche Beach Preserve, Bonita Beach Park and Bonita Beach Accesses 1 to 10would reopen on Saturday. The Sanibel Police Department received a 911 call shortly after 11am after a man was bitten in a pond near a general store on the island.. Despite a pretty gnarly bite, hes going to be OK, and his arm is going to be saved, Abo said. There are many misconceptions about Alligators but they are still dangerous and as humans, we have to behave respectfully and sensibly towards them. GatorBites Tail & Ale Students, staff, family, and friends came together on Friday for the annual unified basketball game at Fort Myers High School. It seems to have worked for years. They are a protected species and given the percentage of conservation land on the island are a common sight that is to be celebrated. Lost a lot of blood, but hes fine.. Steve Yetsko, 52, who lives around the bend from the house at 3061 Poinciana Circle where Melsek was working when she was attacked, was among those who ran to her aid. Sanibel Island is an incredible place to experience nature. Sanibel Island, Florida 33957 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. High temperatures will climb into the 80s and low 90s under mostly sunny skies. According to Sanibel Fire Department, a 25-year-old man was attacked around 11:06 AM along a pond near Baileys General Store located at 2477 Periwinkle Way. 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. 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. It never was a problem.. She survived the attack but died later of an infection caused by the bite. She later died of the wounds. If you see anything and the gators appear to be nuisance, call the Sanibel police. FWC. Do not swim outside of posted swimming areas or in waters that might be inhabited by large alligators. Beaches remain closed on the island without boardwalks, and debris is scattered everywhere. 2000s. Luckily, all three got away without injuries. Not only was there a game, but college students showed up for a dunk contest. If an Alligator is chasing you RUN STRAIGHT. Its sad to see people cant go out in the yard and garden, said Cardenas, 34. They say theres 300 of them on this island.. 1401 79th Street Causeway So let's set the record straight about these prehistoric looking creatures. Despite a pretty gnarly bite, hes going to be OK, and his arm is going to be saved, Abdo told WSVN. March 11, 2005: Donald Ray Owen, 56, was found dead in Six Pound Pond near Lakeland in Polk County with multiple alligator bites and the left arm amputated below the elbow. 9 years ago Save Actually, Sanibel has a gator population estimated at about 300-350 gators, mostly due to the fact 65% of the island is protected conservation land and there are numerous small lakes and ponds for them to live in. Please keep the following tips in mind to ensure the time you spend on Sanibel does not result in a conflict with an alligator: Feeding alligators is a criminal act, punishable with up to a $500 fine and 60 days in jail. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Ironically, Olin lives on the same street as Sanibel's only other fatal gator attack victim. That gator was killed and another 6-foot gator was removed. An alligator attacked and dragged 2-year-old Lane Graves from the water's edge at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Sanibel has a special permit from the state allowing it to move gators under 8 feet long that get in the way of humans as long as theyre not acting aggressively. You cant relocate them, he said. No Collier County attacks are included on FWC's list of fatal alligator attacks. Authorities shot the alligator after Okkerse's body was found. A womans service dog had a near death experience when an alligator lunged for it off the Sanibel Causeway recently. Though they are extremely territorial creatures, they do not like humans and will leave you alone if you leave them alone. The City of Sanibel | 800 Dunlop Road | Sanibel, FL 33957. I can say that gentleman was sitting there with a temporary tourniquet, which is one of the things that saved his life from hemorrhaging, said Dr. Benjamin Abo. 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. All content Copyright 2000 - 2023 WSVN-TV. Their metabolism is very slow and they are not the ravenous monsters some think they are.
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