MIAMI, FL – A man in South Florida was airlifted to a hospital on Sunday after being bitten by an alligator. The incident occurred at Everglades National Park, with Miami-Dade Fire Rescue responding to the emergency call at 4:55 p.m.
The victim, an adult male, was found by first responders and immediately transported via helicopter to Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson South Medical Center in Southwest Miami-Dade. The man’s condition remains unknown as of Monday morning, as he continues to receive medical treatment.
Alligator attacks, while not common, are not unheard of in Florida. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reports that over the past decade, the state has averaged about eight unprovoked bites per year that necessitate professional medical attention. The chances of a Florida resident being seriously hurt in an unprovoked alligator incident is estimated to be around one in 3.1 million.
In 2022, the most recent year for which data is available, there were 13 reported alligator bites in Florida. Two of these incidents were fatal, nine resulted in major injuries, and two were minor.
Everglades National Park, where the recent attack occurred, is a unique habitat where alligators and crocodiles coexist. This is due to the combination of freshwater from Lake Okeechobee and saltwater from the ocean, creating a unique ecosystem. The park, which sees an average of one million visitors annually, is home to 13 endangered species and 10 threatened species.