. Tampa Bay Restaurant Week is back! Florida is the unofficial home for alligators, given the high number of these reptiles in the state. Four main challenges exist in the Lake Thonotosassa watershed: Nutrient loadings from the watershed have caused extreme nutrient-enrichment resulting in algal blooms. Mothers are very protective. Let us examine three of the lakes where these attacks occurred. Lake Thonotosassa is an 942 acres (381 ha) lake that is named after the census-designated place (CDP) that it is in, which is Thonotosassa, Florida. & 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. Despite the scenic environment and inviting waters, swimming is discouraged in the lake. The bite was enough to crush a portion of La Verdes skull and break his jaw. Click for details. Florida is the unofficial home of alligators, The Best Childrens Books About Alligators: Reviewed and Ranked, camping site along the shores of the lake, alligators were in their mating or nesting season, See a Crocodile Attack Two Male Lions Out for a Swim, Hogtied Gator Gets Last Laugh And Knocks Out Florida Trapper With Huge Headbutt. With the right stroke, all I felt was scales, teeth and then right there Im like okay. This is a generic photo of Lake Thonotosassa and does not show the specific site of the attack. Ross drone captured the attack on camera. "He had a big gash on his face and he had a towel covering his wound, and then he said that they called 911. This is a generic photo of Lake Thonotosassa and does not show the . A Florida man's swim in Lake Thonotosassa took a nasty turn when he was bitten in the face by an alligator. USF Water Institute. He even heard a popping sound when the animals jaw snapped. "This time of year you may have some females protecting some juveniles, the females stay around their babies for at least a year, sometimes longer," Costell said. European immigrants later settled in the place. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Once you get to Taylor Lakes shores, you can spot Munt Bell, which rises 2,379 feet above the lake level. A number of these deadly alligator attacks occurred within the lake or its vicinity as people go near them. The trail to Taylor Lake starts with a flat area followed by a steady climb towards the lake. By *(CNN) An alligator bit a mans face while he was swimming in Lake Thonotosassa in Florida, according to officials. According to Creative Loafing Tampa Bay, it was the 18th attack by an alligator this year. Only 20 minutes from downtown Tampa, La Verde made an impact with a hard object. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. He swam until he got to a home across the attack area. The park has a camping site located near the lake. We are continually improving the user experience for everyone, and applying the relevant accessibility standards. Local authorities confirmed the incident occurred in the afternoon hours of Thursday. 2023 FOX Television Stations, until MON 7:00 PM EDT, Inland Flagler County, Coastal Flagler County, DeSantis in Japan ahead of expected US presidential bid, Trump extends lead over DeSantis in new poll, FOX 35 Care Force: Cleaning up the Wekiva River for Earth Day, Cleaning up the Wekiva River for Earth Day, New Orlando ice cream shop highlights gluten-free ice cream, Florida man attacks another man with golf club on Lake County course, deputies say, Larry 'Gator' Rivers, Harlem Globetrotter legend from Georgia, dies at 73, Downtown Orlando bars now need special permit to sell alcohol after midnight, Buckeye woman stung more than 75 times during family photo shoot, first responders say, 2 high schoolers killed, 4 others hurt in shooting at house party in Mississippi. Alligators nest on dry land, and getting near one can be the reason for an attack. Not long after he began swimming, Merda spotted an alligator approaching his right side. Watch an Alligator Prepare to Attack a Bird Only to Be Eaten by Another Alligator Twice Its Size, Discover Why Alligators Wont Cross Georgias Fall Line, 3 Florida Lakes with Alligator Attacks in 2022, Bay News, Available here: https://www.baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2022/06/08/gator-taylor-lake-mcguinness, Fox 13 News, Available here: https://www.fox13news.com/news/its-do-or-die-man-loses-arm-after-surviving-alligator-attack-at-lake-manatee, Tampa Bay, Available here: https://www.tampabay.com/news/2022/08/26/never-saw-the-alligator-how-a-tampa-bay-man-survived-vicious-attack/. The dam was constructed sometime in the 1960s. A Florida man was heard screaming after he was bitten on the face by an alligator while swimming. Florida drone video captures swimmer fighting off alligator Taylor Lake is popular among hikers between Lake Louse and Banff because it does not have much traffic compared to the other parks near these towns. And I had a med kit in my car so I gave him gauze and an emergency kit to stop the bleeding and then the ambulance showed up.". The man was rushed to Tampa General Hospital around 4 p.m., and was in critical condition, fire officials said. In a rare incident, a Florida man was bitten on his face while swimming in Lake Thonotosassa, northeast of Tampa. Experts said alligators do not want anything to do with people. In Florida, the FWC in November 2021 stated there were 442 unprovoked alligator bites from 1948 to 2021, with an average of six per year. You have entered an incorrect email address! He specializes in travel content. In the US alone, alligator attacks are common in the Florida and Louisiana. Juan Carlos La Verde, 34, of Brandon, was swimming in Lake Thonotosassa last Wednesday afternoon when the alligator . Lake Thonotosassa is the largest natural lake in Hillsborough County. "Trapping efforts are ongoing at Lake Thonotosassa following this incident. La Verde admitted to the newspaper that he hadnt taken precautions before swimming in the lake, such as examining the water for alligators and avoiding weedy areas during nesting and hatching season. Merda swam to the shore, began screaming for help, and eventually got assistance three days later. "The reason we've been calling on him is he's been coming up, you know, on our banks in front of the house, and he's not scared. Issa Rae and Shameik Moore Would Unalive Spiders Matthew Lawrence Shaquille ONeal Releasing New Hip-Hop Track to Celebrate NBA Playoffs, Elon Musk Announces Charging Option for Publishers on Twitter. The parks management has installed several signs warning visitors to avoid feeding the alligators or swimming in the lake. Alligator in Florida Euthanized After Being Found With Knife Sticking on its Head, Alligator Drinks Box of Diet Coke Cans at Florida Couple's Home, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Invasive Lanternfly Continues Spread in New York, Might Take Down Grape and Wine Industry, Severe Thunderstorms, Tornadoes, Large Hail Threaten 15 Million Residents in Texas, Giant 10-Foot Great White Shark Stranded Along South Carolina Beach, Death Remains a Mystery, Antarctica During Dinosaur Era Ravaged by Frequent Forest Fires [Study], $20k Reward Money Up For Finding Boat Operator Who Drove Over California Sea Lions in the Columbia River. The Florida Fish and Wildlife . La Verde was recording an instructional film for his organization when the alligator attacked and engulfed his upper body up to his torso area. COPYRIGHT 2022 EURweb.com/Rabercom Enterprises. Click for 10 days of taco specials $10 & under! La Verde, 34, was swimming . The lake was also a religious site. He somehow managed to place his hands inside the gators mouth, felt its teeth as it struggled, and rolled with him in water. Report it here. Later in the emergency room, La Verde underwent a six-hour craniotomy and jaw surgery that saw surgeons remove a section of his temporal lobe. Lewisville Lake is one of the largest lakes in north Texas, with 29,000 acres and 233 miles of shoreline. Scroll to read more Tampa Bay News articles. You will cover the flat section in a few minutes before embarking on the continuously climbing section that covers 3.7 miles to the lake. Man Loses Part of Skull in Horror Alligator Attack'I Was - Newsweek Creative Loafing Tampa Bay reported that the alligator closed its mouth with a total pressure of around 2,000 pounds on La Verdes head and chest. Lake Manatee is part of the expansive 556-acre Lake Manatee State Park. Will Downing on New Song Following Daughters Suicide, Advice to Parents, Issa Rae and Shameik Moore Would Unalive Spiders Matthew Lawrence Opens Up About Hollywood Casting Couch & More | PicVideos. 15402 N US Highway 301, Thonotosassa, FL 33592-2318. His assistant, who was filming the instructional video, captured the horrific attack using a drone that he was flying overhead. La Verde then endured a 6-hour surgery and will have to undergo more operations in the months ahead. Merda was visiting the fish camp when he lost his way while strolling in the woods. Whats the Biggest Alligator Ever Found in the Mississippi River? By the time he noticed that he was under attack, almost half of his body was in the alligator. A Florida man was hospitalized last week after an alligator bit him in the face. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. View our Accessibility Statement for more information. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. That object turned out to be an alligator swimming underwater coming at him. The second alligator attack on a lake happened to Eric Merda while swimming across the lake. Although the lakes name suggests that one will see a lot of manatees, visitors will not see any at the park because the dam prevents them from reaching the lake. An edition of: WaterAtlas.org The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission received a call about the . A witness at the scene of the attack said they only heard a scream initially and later, the victim emerged from the water with a "big gash" and taken to the hospital., Viral News, Times Now It is a challenging but manageable trail. What areas in Tampa Bay are best suited for oyster reef restoration? The 34-year-old victim survived the incident and was immediate hospitalized following yet another unprovoked alligator attack in the state. A contracted alligator trapper was dispatched into the area and an investigation is underway, according to a statement shared by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) to CNN. 'I heard a scream': Alligator bites Florida man's face in rare attack Earliest Sample 09/11/1956. Out of these attacks, 26 were fatal and one fatal injury in nearly every three years, the US media outlet says. At this time no alligators have been removed from the area," FWC wrote in an email to CL. La Verde, 34, was swimming in Lake Thonotosassa in suburban Tampa during filming of an instructional video for DefeatX, an organization that aims to help people dealing with anxiety and depression through athletic endeavors. Ouch! An Alligator Bit A Man in the Face At Florida's Lake Thonotosassa Alligator bites visitor at Lake Thonotosassa Wednesday afternoon - WFTS As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Footage captures encounter between Juan Carlos La Verde, gator The gator grabbed his right arm and began dragging him underwater while performing death rolls. Tampa Theatre secures $14 million for repairs and restorations, USF president says student protesters caused an active shooter response from staff, Following report of a shrinking canopy, City of Tampa plans to plant 30,000 trees by 2030, Florida bill allowing landlords to charge tenants a monthly non-refundable fee in lieu of a security deposit heads to DeSantis, By Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida, Florida Republicans vote to lower gun-buying age, reversing changes made after Parkland, Florida Republicans clear path for DeSantis to run for president without resigning. suffered a frightening attack by an alligator, avoiding weedy areas during nesting and hatching season. He recalls feeling the reptiles teeth and tongue piercing his face, upper body, and skull. Lake Thonotosassa presents many recreational activities for residents and visitors. Scroll to read more Tampa Bay News articles. While most encounter occur the gator habitat, there are also instances when human-wildlife conflict transpires in residential areas. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. I was attacked by a 12ft long alligator - The Sun Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County, EPC Water Quality data gathered from reports, FDEP Southwest Regional Operations Center, Hillsborough County Environmental Management Division, LAKEWATCH Supplemental Water Quality Sampling, LAKEWATCH Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission received a call about the incident at around 3:45 p.m. Thursday, according to a statement shared with CNN. Presented By: Juan Carlos La Verde can be seen swimming . Largo Police retrieved Sean McGuinesss body from the alligator-infested Taylor Lake on May 31, 2022. Given that alligators natural habitat is near water bodies, it is hardly surprising that most Florida lakes are alligator-infested. It is unclear if whether or not the man was aware of the danger lurking in the Florida lake, which is a common habitat of the reptiles in the state but also in other inland bodies of water in the United States and other countries worldwide. I am perfectly fine. This attack, along the shoreline of Lake Thonotosassa in Hillsborough County, was actually captured on video by drone hovering above the lake. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Juan Carlos La Verde, 34, was swimming at the lake outside Tampa when, according to . A file photo of an alligator with its mouth open. Fla. Man Hospitalized After Alligator Bites His Face - People Thonotosassa Road lies on the southern part of the lake, while the Taylor Highway is on its western side.