Overview

• The man was swimming in Lake Monroe around 2 a.m. when the alligator attacked, leading to the amputation of his arm from the elbow down.
• Officials from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
• Experts note that alligators are most active during dusk and dawn, and swimming during these times increases the risk of encounters.
• The FWC advises against feeding alligators as it reduces their natural wariness of humans and can lead to dangerous situations.
• Between 2012 and 2022, Florida averaged eight unprovoked alligator attacks annually, with fatalities being extremely rare.