A 71-year-old man died after an alligator attack while fishing at Lake Apopka in Winter Garden, Florida. The victim was identified as Steven Hamilton.
The alligator involved measured nearly 12 feet long. It was later euthanized by wildlife officials.
The attack marks the second fatal alligator incident in Florida this year. Officials have not released further details about how the attack unfolded.
Rescuers arriving at the scene encountered additional alligators in the water. Crews worked carefully to recover the victim while avoiding further danger.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is investigating the incident. The agency has not said whether the alligator was provoked or protecting territory.
Lake Apopka is one of Florida’s largest lakes and a popular spot for fishing. Alligators are common in the area’s freshwater habitats.
Wildlife experts advise keeping a safe distance from alligators and avoiding swimming in waters known to have large populations. Attacks on humans remain rare despite the state’s estimated 1.3 million alligators.
