The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said it is investigating two separate alligator attacks that occurred in central Florida over the weekend, one fatal and one involving a child who was injured.
A 31-year-old woman was swimming with friends along the Econlockhatchee River at Little Big Econ State Forest on Sunday when an alligator attacked her, biting both of her arms. She was taken to a hospital, where she died from her injuries, the commission said.
“The FWC extends its deepest sympathies to the family and loved ones of the victim during this difficult time,” the commission said in a statement. Her identity has not yet been released, officials said.
Two alligators were captured from the area of the attack and will be tested to determine if they were involved, according to wildlife officials. Trapping efforts are ongoing, the commission said, and multiple agencies and a contracted nuisance alligator trapper responded to the scene.
The commission said it responded to a separate incident on Saturday in Marion County, where a child was bitten on the hand by an alligator while fishing from the shore of the Ocklawaha River at Nelson Fish Camp. An alligator measuring 8 feet, 7 inches was euthanized in connection with that incident, officials said.
CBS Miami reported the weekend’s attacks as part of a series of alligator encounters in Florida. MSI previously reported that a 40-year-old man fleeing Louisiana state troopers was attacked by an alligator after jumping into a swamp earlier this month. The incidents also come after the Everglades immigration detention center known as “Alligator Alcatraz” was closed in June.