Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. In 2022, one fatality was recorded in Taylor Lake while two people lost their limbs to these reptiles in Lake Manatee and Lake Thonotosassa. Largo Police retrieved Sean McGuinesss body from the alligator-infested Taylor Lake on May 31, 2022. Lake Thonotosassa is located in Hillsborough County near Tampa. In July, an elderly woman died after falling into a lake and being grabbed by two alligators in Florida. By the time he noticed that he was under attack, almost half of his body was in the alligator. The man was rushed to Tampa General Hospital around 4 p.m. and deemed to be in critical condition. on COPYRIGHT 2022 EURweb.com/Rabercom Enterprises. Man bitten in the face by alligator while swimming in Lake Thonotosassa, helps people who suffer with depression and anxiety, climbed the equivalent height of Mount Everest. His assistant, who was filming the instructional video, captured the horrific attack using a drone that he was flying overhead. At this time no alligators have been removed from the area," FWC wrote in an email to CL. Click for 10 days of taco specials $10 & under! However, each of those needs to be thoroughly analyzed to determine if an alligator was actually involved and if it was provoked or unprovoked. The relatively frequent alligator attacks or encounter in Florida is somehow expected, since there is a large number of the animal's population across the Sunshine State. The La Verdes on their boat in a lake behind their house, before the alligator attack. Alligator trappers were out on the lake looking for the gator. He would make up to $150 daily from this job. He recalls feeling the reptiles teeth and tongue piercing his face, upper body, and skull. Watch an Alligator Prepare to Attack a Bird Only to Be Eaten by Another Alligator Twice Its Size, Discover Why Alligators Wont Cross Georgias Fall Line, 3 Florida Lakes with Alligator Attacks in 2022, Bay News, Available here: https://www.baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2022/06/08/gator-taylor-lake-mcguinness, Fox 13 News, Available here: https://www.fox13news.com/news/its-do-or-die-man-loses-arm-after-surviving-alligator-attack-at-lake-manatee, Tampa Bay, Available here: https://www.tampabay.com/news/2022/08/26/never-saw-the-alligator-how-a-tampa-bay-man-survived-vicious-attack/. You will cover the flat section in a few minutes before embarking on the continuously climbing section that covers 3.7 miles to the lake. The agency recommends people stay away from alligators and avoid handling or feeding them. Florida alligator, alligator attack, Lake Thonotosassa, Hillsborough County, Florida alligator attack, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, FWC, Animal attack, gator attack, United States, us. "This time of year you may have some females protecting some juveniles, the females stay around their babies for at least a year, sometimes longer," Costell said. All Rights Reserved. A Florida man was rushed to the hospital last week after an alligator sunk its teeth into his face. Find your God. A contracted alligator trapper was dispatched into the area and an investigation is underway, according to a statement shared by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) to CNN. the FWC in November 2021 stated there were 442 . Its silly. Huge Florida Gator Eats a Smaller Florida Gator in Most Florida Video Ever. "He had a big gash on his face and he had a towel covering his wound, and then he said that they called 911. Lake Thonotosassa is an 942 acres (381 ha) lake that is named after the census-designated place (CDP) that it is in, which is Thonotosassa, Florida. There have been at least three fatal alligator attacks in the US this year. Its both a tragedy and a miracle at the same time, Ross told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. Unfortunately, as fate would have it, McGuinesss risky job eventually cost him his life after an alligator attack. Florida is the unofficial home of alligators, and residents encounter these reptiles in golf courses, homes, and roads. He swam until he got to a home across the attack area. A witness at the scene of the attack said they only heard a scream initially and later, the victim emerged from the water with a "big gash" and taken to the hospital., Viral News, Times Now The-CNN-Wire La Verde, 34, was swimming in Lake Thonotosassa in suburban Tampa during filming of an instructional video for DefeatX, an organization that aims to help people dealing with anxiety and depression through athletic endeavors. Apart from the bite marks and losing blood, La Verde had experienced multiple injuries on his shoulders and back and severe nerve damage on the right side of his face. By Save. The green lake looks like there could be something lurking under the surface, and that turned out to be true, because the American triathlete Bill Berry swam into an alligator during his training session. A total of 9,442 nuisance alligators were killed in 2021, the FWC says. Juan Carlos La Verde, 34, was swimming in Florida's Lake Thonotosassa in preparation for a race when a large alligator bit him on the head and face, leaving him with serious injuries. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. (CW44 News At 10 | CNN) -- An alligator bit a man's face while he was swimming in Lake Thonotosassa in Florida, according to officials. Related Article: Alligator Drinks Box of Diet Coke Cans at Florida Couple's Home, Tags Season 3 of Brat Loves Judy Highlights Shortage of Black Sperm Gladys Knights Farewell Tour Continues This Summer in US. "I didnt know what had happened I thought maybe he hit a rock or maybe there was something that spooked him," he said. Click for details. An alligator bit a man at Lake Thonotosassa in Thonotosassa, Florida, shown in a file photo from February 19, 2020. . This waterbody is located within: Hillsborough Bay Watershed. There have been at least three fatal alligator attacks in the US this year. As of July 25, FWC said a total of 16 alligator bite incidents have been reported to the agency. News outlets reported the case of 47-year-old Sean McGuiness, who earned a living by retrieving disk courses and selling each for $5. In particular, the emphasis is placed on the so-called "nuisance alligators" which have a size of at least four feet and perceived to pose a threat to people, their pets, and property, as summarized by the US media network. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission received a call about the incident at around 3:45 p.m. Thursday, according to a statement shared with CNN. Learn how TBEP and its partners measure seagrass abundance and health, and about the current state of seagrass in Tampa Bay. The alligator did not bite off his entire arm, and the doctors at Sarasota Memorial Hospital performed a surgery involving amputating the remaining parts of his right arm. In Florida, the FWC in November 2021 stated there were 442 unprovoked alligator bites from 1948 to 2021, with an average of six per year. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. Out of these attacks, 26 were fatal and one fatal injury in nearly every three years, the US media outlet says. And I had a med kit in my car so I gave him gauze and an emergency kit to stop the bleeding and then the ambulance showed up.". He figured out that his camp was on the opposite side of the lake and decided to swim across rather than walk around it. However, the park management limits the maximum boat motor to 20 horsepower. "The reason we've been calling on him is he's been coming up, you know, on our banks in front of the house, and he's not scared. Merda swam to the shore, began screaming for help, and eventually got assistance three days later. "Its usually not the person feeding the gator that gets bit, it's somebody that doesnt even know theres a gator there that ends up getting bit," said ZooTampa Associate Curator of Reptiles & Fish, Dan Costell. It also has several trails, the top of which are the Gopher Trail Loop, Lake Manatee East Loop, and the Lake Manatee Loop. This attack, along the shoreline of Lake Thonotosassa in Hillsborough County, was actually captured on video by drone hovering above the lake. Lake Thonotosassa is in Hillsborough County, near Tampa. As LaVerde swam alone near the shoreline, drone video shows a massive alligator swimming toward him. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. The gator grabbed his right arm and began dragging him underwater while performing death rolls. Find him. Latest Sample 04/29/2023. Visitors can canoe, kayak, and ride bikes and golf cart rentals in the park. A file photo of an alligator with its mouth open. The alligator that attacked La Verde miraculously let him go after one massive bite on his head Credit: Getty. DeSantis says Disney lawsuit is 'political', By Jim Turner and News Service of Florida. Nature & Parks, Bodies of Water, State Parks. 2023 NatureWorldNews.com All rights reserved. FWC said the alligator bit the person . Although the lakes name suggests that one will see a lot of manatees, visitors will not see any at the park because the dam prevents them from reaching the lake. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Alligators are naturally afraid of humans, which explains why cases of them attacking humans are rare. 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Juan Carlos La Verde, 34, of Brandon, was swimming in Lake Thonotosassa last Wednesday afternoon when the alligator . Merda managed to come up three times during the struggle before the alligator took off with significant parts of his arm. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Hillsborough Bay Watershed. Alligator Attack Survival Story. An alligator bit a mans face while he was swimming in Lake Thonotosassa in Florida, according to officials. According to Creative Loafing Tampa Bay, it was the 18th attack by an alligator this year. Ross, who unknowingly captured the attack from above, said he couldnt believe La Verde survived the encounter. This is a generic photo of Lake Thonotosassa and does not show the . Lake Thonotosassa. The agency also urges people to avoid alligators, as well as handling or feeding them. La Verde did not have any safety goggles, and the low visibility made it difficult for him to see the approaching alligator. A similar incident occurred at the same park in 2020. Drone footage shot from above a Florida lake shows the moment a large alligator chomps on a man's head.The victim somehow managed to survive the attack. As a result, the chances of losing life to alligator attacks are even slimmer. The US government relocated many Seminole Indians to the area around the lake during the 19th-century Seminole Wars. Nuisance alligators those that are 4 feet or longer and believed to pose a threat to people, their pets or property are trapped and killed by the agency through its Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program. Despite knowing about the danger of working in the alligator-infested lake, he never seemed bothered by the threat, despite not having health insurance. Alligators nest on dry land, and getting near one can be the reason for an attack. So, what I think I did, what I felt like I did, was that I immediately tried to open its jaws because I knew I was in a gator, La Verde said. And a Florida man was killed by an alligator while searching for Frisbees in a lake in late May. Ensure you have your fishing license if you plan to engage in the activity on the lake. Lake Manatee is an artificial water body resulting from a dam constructed along the Manatee River. When he visits home he enjoys spending time with his family Rottie, Opie. And a Florida man was killed by an alligator while searching for Frisbees in a lake in late May. The man was seriously injured after being bitten by the gator while swimming in Lake Thonotosassa. Juan Carlos La Verde, of Brandon, was taking a dip in Lake Thonotosassa on Wednesday afternoon when . Click HERE to SUBSCRIBE to Our Newsletter Now! Open today: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM. In July, an elderly woman died after falling into a lake and being grabbed by two alligators in Florida. Merda was visiting the fish camp when he lost his way while strolling in the woods. Lewisville Lake is one of the largest lakes in north Texas, with 29,000 acres and 233 miles of shoreline. Subscribe now to get the latest news delivered right to your inbox. The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said agents contracted a nuisance alligator trapper at the location, but there has been no word if the specific gator has been captured. See a water quality problem happening? Taylor Lake is a five-acre freshwater lake connected to the 156-acre John S. Park via the Pinellas Trail. Taylor Lake is popular among hikers between Lake Louse and Banff because it does not have much traffic compared to the other parks near these towns. But said theres been a nuisance gator causing issues, and for the last four months a trapper has been out repeatedly to try and remove it. The only fatality involving a water body occurred when an individual got into the lake while searching for frisbees, also known as disk courses. The animal . Tampa Theatre secures $14 million for repairs and restorations, USF president says student protesters caused an active shooter response from staff, Following report of a shrinking canopy, City of Tampa plans to plant 30,000 trees by 2030, Florida bill allowing landlords to charge tenants a monthly non-refundable fee in lieu of a security deposit heads to DeSantis, By Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida, Florida Republicans vote to lower gun-buying age, reversing changes made after Parkland, Florida Republicans clear path for DeSantis to run for president without resigning. The man was seriously injured after being bitten by the gator while swimming in Lake Thonotosassa. An alligator bit a man's face while he was swimming in Lake Thonotosassa in Florida, according to officials. The 34-year-old was swimming in Lake Thonotosassa when the alligator struck, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The man named Juan Carlos La Verde was . Increased abundance of non-native plant species. Unfortunately, the park does not have lifeguards; swimming is at ones own risk. Around 1.3 million alligators call Florida home, according to the FWC, living in all 67 counties in the state. Thu, Aug 4, 2022 at 2:29 pm, The Savannah Bananas will bring 'the greatest show in sports' to Tampa this weekend, New coffee in Seminole Heights, Chef Suzanne Lara has a new Tampa concept, and more Tampa Bay foodie news. Though extremely rare, there have now been three known fatal alligator attacks so far in 2022.