Closely supervise children when they are playing in or around water. Howsmon, 54, said the gator population needs to be thinned. Early reports that the gator was about 4-feet-long proved wrong once trappers captured the critter. Man seriously injured after alligator attack on Sanibel Alligator Safety Tips | City of Sanibel - Sanibel, Florida WSVN broadcast educational and informational programming for children, and file quarterly reports with the FCC detailing the station's outreach to children. If an Alligator is chasing you RUN STRAIGHT. Sometimes they will use a big hook, and a large piece of meat and throw it out there and catch him, Chief Barrett said. 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. Beaches remain closed on the island without boardwalks, and debris is scattered everywhere. 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. Robert Steele, 82, was killed by a. About three hours after the attack, first responders were able to get the gator out of the pond. 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. Rubio hopes to rebound four months after loss, Guest commentary: Support solar in Florida? The attack happened on the 2400 block of Periwinkle Way around 11:00 am. Authorities shot the alligator after Okkerse's body was found. A woman who had worked on Sanibel for many years was attacked by an alligator while working. Do not swim outside of posted swimming areas or in waters that might be inhabited by large alligators. Come see htem for yourself and book your next Sanibel Holiday vacation. State law prohibits killing, feeding, harassing or possession of alligators. Fifth, alligators can be lighting fast when they see you are in striking distance, 15 feet or less from them and the water. Poor Janie is the one who had to suffer for it.. The singular exception may be the presence of alligators, and you will see signs warning about them posted throughout the Island. SANIBEL, Fla. (WSVN) Rescue teams saved a man's life after a harrowing alligator attack in Sanibel. They did say the gator will be put asleep. Remember they are an important part of Sanibels natural history as well as an integral component of our freshwater ecosystem. Despite a pretty gnarly bite, hes going to be OK, and his arm is going to be saved, Abo said. Wind gusts will not become as strong as yesterday. Crews are starting the long-term repairs after Hurricane Ian, causing traffic jams in Southwest Florida. 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. Copyright 2023 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. Gators are common in Florida and Chief Barrett said they respond to these types of calls more often than you will think. She heard a loud splash and when she turned around her son was gone. "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. WSVN-TVSunbeam Television Corp A fish kill is filling up the water in Southwest Florida.