Police Chief Bill Tomlinson said hes been asked to make a presentation on city policies and the alligator complaints the city has recorded. Closely supervise children when they are playing in or around water. Dog gets away safe after alligator lunges for it off Sanibel Causeway, Winds stoke brush fires and prompt evacuations across Southwest Florida, Fort Myers High School hosts annual unified basketball game, Public adjuster answers your hurricane-related property insurance questions, Long-term repairs to the Sanibel Causeway after Hurricane Ian, Alligator captured after seriously injuring man near pond in Sanibel, Working to get Sanibel beaches and businesses open after Ian, Dog found in Orlando reunited with Texas family 7 years after it ran away, What the number of winter shorebirds means for Florida, How bloodless open heart surgeries are performed, North Naples woman arrested after dog dies trapped in vehicle, After Hurricane Ian, Lee County reopening beach parks with free parking. Gators are common in Florida and Chief Barrett said they respond to these types of calls more often than you will think. , there was a time they almost became extinct. The 12th was Robert Steele, 81, who died on Sept. 11, 2001, after being bitten near his home off Rabbit Road, not far from where Melsek was attacked. Therefore, swim only during daylight hours. Since many of the residential neighborhoods on the Island contain lakes or interface with conservation lands containing wetlands, interaction between humans and alligators is likely. 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. 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. see crocodiles in an area called Flamingo in the Everglades that's located pretty far out of the way.. Robert Steele, 82, was killed by a. 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. One of the best places to see crocodiles in Florida is also Everglades National Park!. 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. Sanibel Island is an incredible place to experience nature. Guide To Waterfront Dining. If an Alligator is chasing you RUN STRAIGHT. Re: Snakes or alligators on Captiva? Learn More Luckily the man could pull himself free, but he lost a lot of blood. 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. Fourth, most deaths by alligators are not from blood loss or even from drowning. Besides that, doctors said, hes going to be just fine. He did a decent job because he made it very tight but also very wide.. John C. Goede: Can changes be made to common areas without members' approval? Never feed Alligators, this will cause them to lose their natural fear of humans and associate humans with food. Guide to Sanibel Restaurants (2022), The Sanibel and Captiva Farmers Markets (2022), 11 Local Favorites For A Sanibel Island Sunset (2022). Sept. 26, 2004: Georgia college student Michelle Reeves, 20, drowned after an alligator bit off part of her right arm while she apparently went skinny-dipping in a lake in Fort Myers. Pond Apple Trail 1159 Causeway Road. I think its up to the city of Sanibel to decide if their policy is appropriate and theyll take whatever action is necessary to protect the public.. 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. 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. The. Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. 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. To have it end this way is just so sad.. Wind gusts will not become as strong as yesterday. The dog, Jazzy, was found abandoned in a hotel room in Orlando earlier this month, Orange County Animal Services said on Facebook. According to the state Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Melsek was the 14th person to be killed by a gator in Florida since 1973. According to officers, the man was washing his hands in the pond when the alligator attacked.. Crews are starting the long-term repairs after Hurricane Ian, causing traffic jams in Southwest Florida. That will require a bit (a lot) of a detour from going directly to Sanibel Island, as the spot to (maybe!) I thought about whether to post this news or. Poor Janie is the one who had to suffer for it.. She died at 9:15 a.m. Friday during surgery at Lee Memorial Hospital as doctors tried to combat the infection that spread through her body. SANIBEL, Fla. (WSVN) Rescue teams saved a man's life after a harrowing alligator attack in Sanibel. Sanibel Island is currently closed to non-residents, with the exception of first responders and recovery workers, as local authorities continue storm cleanup. The gator, a 12-foot, 3-inch male was removed and destroyed. 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. 8:49 PM EST, Mon December 19, 2022 A A SANIBEL, Fla. A man was hospitalized after an alligator bit him on the arm. "But hes a pretty tough old boy. Please do your part in protecting the Island's wildlife by not feeding alligators. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The J.N Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge is 6,400 Acres of preserved and undeveloped mangrove ecosystem land. Third, during winter months, alligators are lethargic and pretty much just lay around. Steve Yetsko who called Sanibel police officers the real heroes in Melseks rescue said hes never had a serious problem with a gator. And myself, along with the fire department, were just a couple of minutes away, and were there pretty quickly to put on a commercial grade tourniquet and south of bleeding and do our assessment and provide emergency medical care for him, Abo said. Nevertheless, the mayor believes the island will be open on January 2. 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. If you encounter a nuisance alligator or see someone feeding an alligator, IMMEDIATELY CONTACT THE SANIBEL POLICE DEPARTMENT AT (239) 472-3111. 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. Golf Courses The 2 best golf courses to Gator spot are The Dunes and Sanibel Island Golf Club. It was evident that hed lost a lot of blood and potentially had other damage to his tendons, Abo said. Murray said he doesn't recall any other Sanibel gator attacks on humans recently. An alligator was trapped and removed from the area. 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. SANIBEL ISLAND, Fla. -- Janie Melseks death Friday morning had many people on Sanibel talking about the same thing alligators. They outlasted dinosaurs! Copyright 2023 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. Feeding alligators is a criminal act, punishable with up to a $500 fine and 60 days in jail. The primary factor in the evaluation is determining the potential danger posed by an alligator or crocodile. The alligator dragged her into a pond, tearing at her right arm so severely that part of it was later amputated, and rescuers saved her from the reptile's jaws in what was described as a fierce "tug-of-war.". How much should your insurance company pay, and can an adjuster stack on costs? U.S. news An 88-year-old woman was killed in a suspected alligator attack at a gated community near Hilton Head, S.C. "It was guarding her and did not want people close by," a law enforcement. 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. The 2-year-old Nebraska boy snatched by an alligator at a lake. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. High humidity will make our afternoon feels like temperatures reach the 90s in many spots. We just want to see a sensible distance between the two! Five years ago last week Sanibel Island landscaper Janie Melsek lost her life to complications from an alligator attack. According to the City of Sanibel, the Sanibel Police Department received a 911 call just after 11 a.m. about an adult man who an alligator had bitten in a pond adjacent to Baileys General [], Sanibel took a beating during Ian, and many people think it will be years before the island will ever be close to what it once was. I think its pretty scary, Ill tell you that, said Elaine Smith, a customer service representative at Bank of the Islands. Pitts says you never know whats lurking below the waters surface. "She got stitches in her right hand and was given appropriate medication and medical care," Adams said. Early reports that the gator was about 4-feet-long proved wrong once trappers captured the critter. Jeannie Pitts was throwing the frisbee with her dog, Honey, when a gator splashed out of the water. A trapper later killed the alligator. When fed, alligators lose their natural fear and learn to associate people with food. The alligator,. 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. "Actually the trappers were in there for a long time with hooks and we (law enforcement officials) were all standing there looking for the alligator," Adams said. They are native to Mexico, China, and the United States. Jeannie Pitts was throwing the frisbee with her dog, Honey, when a gator. Swim in the daytime, Alligators are most active at night. ", Contact Valli Finney at vallimfinney@yahoo.com, PHOTOS: County Commissioners square off at forum, Collier commission candidates clash over fracking. Remember they are an important part of Sanibels natural history as well as an integral component of our freshwater ecosystem. Sanibel Island, Florida 33957 Florida is one of their favorite habitats, of course! This was the first recorded fatal alligator attack in Texas since 1836. 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. Then vote no on solar amendment, Ray McNulty: Jim Kaat tells different side to Greg Norman's battle with Medalist Golf Club. Despite a pretty gnarly bite, hes going to be OK, and his arm is going to be saved, Abo said. Nov. 23, 2015: Brevard County deputies determined that Matthew Riggins, 22, was killed by an alligator in a Barefoot Bay lake while possibly hiding to avoid law enforcement. The following is a list of safety tips to ensure that your time spent on Sanibel is both rewarding and safe. Jane C. Keefer, 74, of Sanibel, was attacked April 21 by a gator in the yard of her Blue Heron Drive home. Chamber Executive Director Steve Greenstein insisted that wasnt true. State law prohibits killing, feeding, harassing or possession of alligators. There is a huge commitment to conservation and the, (SCCF) is the largest, private landowner on the island, . They outlasted dinosaurs! Police shot the reptile to death before rushing Melsek to Lee Memorial Hospital in Fort Myers. []. The attack on Melsek made headlines internationally because of a heroic effort to save her by several men who heard her screams and Sanibel Police officers who rushed to her aid. Its the sunshine state! The victim fell into a pond in a gated community in Hilton Head Island, . They need to do something about it., Its unbelievable, said Rudder, 39. Denial is not just a river in Egypt this can happen and does happen. What went wrong: A look at the detainment and release of NFL player Nate Allen by Fort Myers police. According to Sanibel Fire Department, a 25-year-old man was attacked. Were invading their territory. As more people start to pile into the area, and beaches reopen, the fish kill will become a bigger problem. The man had been washing his hands in a pond when the alligator bit him on the forearm in Sanibel, Florida Credit: Wink. 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. They attack somebody and they take them out and kill them. The alligator, found . At Baileys General Store, employees Anastasia Cardenas, John Howsmon and Travis Rudder talked about gators as they took a break from work. A word to the wise should be sufficient. It is a celebration of nature at its finest. 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 Miami, FL 33141 Observe and photograph alligators only from 30 feet or more away. She had toxic levels of alcohol and an anti-depression drug in her body, and authorities believed she was attacked on land and dragged into the canal. These feared but fascinating creatures are common on the island. 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! There are. It is a celebration of nature at its finest. Do not swim in water inhabited by Alligators. Enter your message or notes here to be included in the email. Nov. 8, 2007: A man who jumped into a lake to flee police at the Miccosukee Resort and Convention Center was killed by an alligator more than 9 feet long. Fifth, alligators can be lighting fast when they see you are in striking distance, 15 feet or less from them and the water. Wetmore suffered from dementia and was believed to have wandered away from his home. WSVN-TVSunbeam Television Corp The City of Sanibel and its authorized agents are authorized to receive and appropriately . Then, they dragged it in on shore and away from the water to be euthanized. Authorities shot the alligator after Okkerse's body was found. For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy, and Terms of Service. One of the biggest issues people are dealing with when it comes to insurance after Hurricane Ian is property damage. 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. After the gator was captured FWC's gator trappers gave Fox 4 a closer look at the gator that bit a man's arm. "Thankfully Lauri's OK," Murray said. When the weather starts to warm, alligators become active, feeding more, looking for new territories and mating. ***Christmas Light Footage was recorded in January 2021 from Tween Waters Resort. Sanibel Fires Division Chief Tim Barrett told Fox 4 that the alligator was between 8 and 10 feet long. Recently, an alligator in a pond on Sanibel Island attacked a man who was washing his hands in the water. Alligators are most active between dusk and dawn. It is also illegal. An alligator is seen during a kayak tour near Everglades City on Dec. 2. FULL STORY:https://t.co/s8YiqlIH9V pic.twitter.com/HIf2fsEoQj. Florida is one of their favorite habitats, of course! If you see anything and the gators appear to be nuisance, call the Sanibel police. Now we've decided to share a little sunshine with those all over the world! May 10, 2006: The dismembered body of Yovy Suarez-Jimenez, 28, was found by construction workers in a canal in Broward County. 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.. Tribal police divers found the body of Justo Antonio Padron, 36, the next afternoon, with alligator teeth marks on the upper torso. They are native to Mexico, China, and the United States. They manage over 1200 acres of conserved land. June 18, 2003: A 12-year-old boy was fatally mauled by an alligator while swimming with friends at Palm Gardens Marina, about 35 miles northwest of Orlando. The myth that they cant catch you if you run in a zig zag is not true. 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. Laitham Haddad shared the video with Fort Myers NBC affiliate WBBH. According to the press release, the man suffered a serious injury to his right forearm. 239-267-1317 A 12-foot alligator had been spotted in the lake twice the day before his body was found, forcing the park to close temporarily each time. Ironically, Olin lives on the same street as Sanibel's only other fatal gator attack victim. Alligators on Sanibel are very interesting creatures that have been roaming the earth since prehistoric times. Luckily, all three got away without injuries. Weve had too many attacks recently, I think, said Smith, 62. Alligators On Sanibel Island - The SanCap Guide It's the sunshine state! Beaches remain closed on the island without boardwalks, and debris is scattered everywhere. He wouldnt speculate on what, if anything, the council may do. Officials were about ready to give up nearly two hours into the hunt for the gator. The victim told Abo that he was trying to keep the alligator from pulling him into the water, and that if the nearly 10-foot animal rolled, a technique alligators use to harm prey, he would roll with it. Sanibel Fire said people at the scene were able to make a tourniquet for the man before medics arrived. Pitts grabbed her smaller dog, and Honey was able to run away from the gator unscathed. She later died of the wounds. The animal will be euthanized. The tourniquet was lifesaving. And we love our tourists. July 15, 2005: An alligator more than 12 feet long grabbed 41-year-old Kevin Murray by the arm as he swam in Apollo Waterway and pulled him underwater as neighbors watched. Janie Melsek, 54, was attacked Wednesday by the. We quickly became acquainted with everything Sanibel & Captiva have to offer. All content Copyright 2000 - 2023 WSVN-TV. An 11-foot alligator killed an elderly man walking his dog by a canal, biting off part of his leg in the third deadly alligator incident in Florida this year. 20351 Summerlin Rd, Fort Myers, FL 33908 The City of Sanibel has established procedures for receiving alligator and crocodile complainants and handling nuisance alligators or crocodiles. But what is the Florida Department of Transportation actually doing on the Sanibel Causeway? WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports | Fort Lauderdale, Coral Gables resident still refuses to sell decades-old home surrounded by massive development, Broward County pastor faces several fraud, grand theft charges after defrauding church, Gunman dead after hours-long SWAT standoff at SW Miami-Dade apartment complex, Police: Man fatally shot 3-year-old son, himself inside Coconut Grove condo, Police arrest student who made false bomb threat at Dillard High School; classes resume. Animals in the region were disrupted by Hurricane Ian in September, and may have found new homes in unexpected places. If you see an alligator, the best thing to do is leave it alone. Get updates on developing stories as they happen with our free breaking news email alerts. As I pulled up, the man was sitting on the side, with blood coming out, with an extension chord that that he used as a makeshift tourniquet, said Sanibel Fire & Rescue District medical director Dr. Benjamin Abo, who specializes in wilderness medicine and who treated the man on-site. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Do not harass Alligators in any manner. They find their way back is what they do.. If fishing, throw fish scraps away into trash cans, not the water. "But the gators are out here. Despite a pretty gnarly bite, hes going to be OK, and his arm is going to be saved, Abdo told WSVN. They pretty much lay in wait in fresh or brackish waters or on the edges of same for prey to come close by. Police just captured the gator that bit a mans arm on Sanibel Island. Dogs are more susceptible to being attacked than humans because dogs resemble the natural prey of alligators. My wife Lori and I have been running a successful photography business on the islands since 2000. The toddler, from Nebraska, was vacationing. Olin was taken to HealthPark Medical Center in Fort Myers for appropriate treatment, to include antibiotics to ward off any infection. The man was able to free. "Pretty much every body of water has an alligator in it, including some swimming pools," Chief Barrett said. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . The gator, a 12-foot, 3-inch male was removed and destroyed. About three hours after the attack, first responders were able to get the gator out of the pond. Alligator on the beach - Sanibel Island! Donna Yetsko recalled seeing the gator that attacked Melsek at least twice a week. There is no way she (Olin) could have seen it.". Crews said the victim was washing is hands in a pond. Alligators can climb and quite well, just something to be aware of. The man was able to free himself from the. Feeding alligators is a criminal act, punishable with up to a $500 fine and 60 days in jail. 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. 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. If you want to go there, you will want to go there before you really start driving to Sanibel Island. May 4, 2001: The chewed body of 70-year-old Samuel Wetmore was found floating in a south Sarasota County retention pond with an 8-foot alligator circling nearby. Attached to the Shipley Trail and close to the Bailey Homestead. Observe and photograph alligators only from 30 feet or more away. Twenty-five of those attacks were fatal, including two in Lee County both on Sanibel Island in 2001 and 2004. She later died in surgery from an infection acquired from being in the water . A press release from the City of Sanibel stated the man was using the pond to wash his hands when the alligator bit his right arm. 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 + Read More Here The Truth About Alligators on Sanibel Island If you encounter a nuisance alligator or see someone feeding an alligator, IMMEDIATELY CONTACT THE SANIBEL POLICE DEPARTMENT AT (239) 472-3111. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge when the gator dragged him into the water. Theyre not in our yard, were in their territory. The latest bite brings to eight the number of people bitten by gators this year in Florida. "A landscaping woman was clearing out weeds in the decorative pond when she reached in and an alligator came up and grabbed her," Adams said. Robert Steele, 82, was killed by a 10 foot, 9 inch-long gator Sept. 11, 2001, near his house on Rabbit Road in Sanibel on Sept. 11, 2001. Small, tropical, inviting, it is easy to feel that there is not a worry in the world while vacationing on Sanibel. 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. Do not allow pets to swim, exercise, or drink in waters that may contain alligators or in designated swimming areas with humans. Visit Gatorbites Website. You cant relocate them, he said. Smith had known Melsek, who was a bank customer, for 23 years. Among the fascinating animals and birds to observe is the mighty Alligator. Greenstein said hes not worried Sanibel which depends heavily on tourism could become known as a dangerous place because of gators. His leg was severed. A fish kill is filling up the water in Southwest Florida. Although you are not intentionally feeding alligators when you do this, the end result can be the same. The singular exception may be the presence of alligators, and you will see signs warning about them posted throughout the Island. The attack happened on the 2400 block of Periwinkle Way around 11:00 am. At the last check, the victim is in the hospital but is expected to be okay. So it wouldve been devastating, so Im just happy that it turned out the way that it did, and I just want to let other people know that theyre actually there right off the causeway, and that, you know, for people to be careful.. Chief Barrett explained that the worker is from Arkansas and was washing his hands in the pond when he was attacked. is 6,400 Acres of preserved and undeveloped mangrove ecosystem land. Murray said it was skinny for an alligator. In Naples, city council authorized the city manager to spend up to $100,000 to expedite the cleanup of dead fish within the city waterways []. Sheriff's divers recovered his body with injuries consistent with an alligator attack nine days after he was reported missing by his girlfriend, who said he told her he was going to commit burglaries. I am linking . A nearby alligator behaved aggressively toward the divers, and was trapped and euthanized. Four of those deaths involve a child under age 5. 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. As the gator tried to drag Melsek into the same small pond it came out of, she told rescuers to cut her arm off to help her get free. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our. It usually sat on the bank across the pond, she said. Lost a lot of blood, but hes fine.. Animals in the region were disrupted by Hurricane Ian in September, and may have found new homes in unexpected places. Yetsko and his wife, Donna Yetsko, 51, were doing yard work of their own Friday when they learned Melsek had died. Friends said he swam in the park every day. In April 2004, a 74-year-old woman was grabbed by the leg and pulled underwater by a 9-foot, 7-inch gator. Youve got to be careful., Turf Masters Brands expands with recent acquisitions, Project EverGreen receives $50,000 matching grant from MEDC, Schill Grounds Management promotes 4 to senior positions, Schill Grounds Management acquires GrassCor, SavATree merges with Lyndon Tree Care & Landscaping. Contrary to popular belief, they have good eyesight and, their blind spot is in front of their nose. They are a protected species and given the percentage of conservation land on the island are a common sight that is to be celebrated. She died at 9:15 a.m. Friday during surgery at Lee Memorial Hospital as doctors tried to combat the infection that spread through her body. Recently, an alligator in a pond on Sanibel Island attacked a man who was washing his hands in the water. The body of Alexandria Murphy was found near the shoreline of Lake Cannon in Winter Haven an hour after her family reported her missing. A 54-year-old landscaper, Melsek was attacked Wednesday by an alligator that was 11 feet, 9 inches long and weighed 457 pounds.