American Alligator in Everglades National Park, Florida, United States of America.Photo: Getty
The 9-foot, 3-inch alligator lunged at the victim, who had caught a fish in the pond, reportsFox 35.
Witness Ron Priest told the local Fox affiliate that the man had caught a fish. He explained that as the victim was on the ground, he was “facing the gator.” Priest explained that “the Gator got the guy in the hand, and the two rolled.”
Priest’s wife was one of two calls that reported the incident to 911. In one audio from the dispatch call,the caller is heard telling the dispatcher: “There is a gator attacking a man in my backyard,” adding, “Some people now have stopped in their golf carts!”
That same caller told the 911 dispatcher that the man was “moaning and groaning constantly” and walking around with blood on his hands.
Stock image of an alligator.Getty
Once theother person called in,the dispatcher asked, “Is this regarding a gator attack?”
“Yes, he took his hand off,” replied the second caller.
“Oh no, OK,” added the dispatcher. Then, in a panic, the caller said, “Hand is gone!”
A smiling alligator in Florida.Getty
Getty
After the alligator bit off the fisherman’s hand, the animal then abandoned the victim and the caught fish and went back into the pond, reports theNew York Post.
Minutes after the 911 calls were made, a medical helicopter arrived and airlifted the man to an Orlando hospital, reports Fox 35. There was no update regarding his condition at the time of this publication.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said the alligator was then trapped and removed from the pond, FWC confirms with PEOPLE.
Stock image of an ambulance.Getty
The FWC recommends several precautionary measures when in the presence of alligators. These include keeping a safe distance from the animal, calling the toll-free Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR if an alligator is spotted, keeping pets on a leash and away from the water’s edge, swimming during daylight in designated swimming areas, and never feeding an alligator.
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Representatives for the and Lake County Fire Rescue did not respond to PEOPLE’s request for more information on Tuesday.
source: people.com
