A 2-year-old boy was taken in an alligator attack Tuesday night at a lake at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, in Orlando. Wednesday afternoon, officials indicated that remains of the boy may have been recovered.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the attack occurred around 9:15 p.m. on the beach of the Seven Seas Lagoon. The large man-made lake is part of a series of canals that wind through the Disney complex and is across from Disney’s Magic Kingdom theme park.
Officers from Florida’s Department of Fish and Wildlife have taken four alligators from the lake in an effort to find the boy’s remains. The boy’s father is reported to have suffered minor injuries while trying to recover his son.
Fish and Wildlife officials say alligator attacks are rare for those encountering the creatures in the wild. However, officials warn that alligator and human encounters are likely to increase as habitat diminishes and people continue to feed wild alligators. Officials say that alligators are increasingly being habituated to seek out humans for food.
Alligator Survival in the Wild
- Check water source before approaching for water resupply
- Never swim in alligator habitat
- Avoid animal watering holes
- If you come in close proximity to an alligator run away as fast as possible in the most direct route
- Fight back vigorously and attempt to punch the sensitive snout and gouge the eyes
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