The woman was bitten on the elbow during the attack, which happened on March 3 in Polk County
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A woman has been hospitalized after getting attacked by an alligator in Florida, according to reports.
The unidentified victim was “bitten on the elbow” while kayaking at the Tiger Creek reserve in Polk County on Monday, March 3, local media outlets Fox 13 Tampa Bay and Bay News 9 reported.
The woman was sent to a nearby hospital to be treated, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) said, per the outlets. Her condition remains unknown at this time.
A man was also bitten in the leg by an alligator, though he was “not seriously hurt,” WPLG local 10 reported. The woman was airlifted to the hospital, per the outlet.
In a 911 call, a person told the operator, according to the outlet, “We have two people bit by alligators.” and that the woman’s arm was “really badly bitten.”
“When they try to move her arm to put the thing on, she’s screaming so she’s in too much pain to get the bandage on,” the caller added.
According to reports, the FWC and Polk County Fire Rescue responded to the location and a nuisance alligator trapper was “dispatched to remove the alligator.”
The FWC said in a statement, per the Miami Herald, that “serious injuries caused by alligators are rare in Florida.”
There have been more than 450 alligator bites on people in the state, 30 of which were fatal, according to records from the FWC. The commission began recording alligator attacks in 1948.
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The FWC provides safety advice for those living with alligators in Florida.
The commission states on its website that residents should “never feed an alligator and keep your distance. Swim only in designated swimming areas during daylight hours. And keep pets on a leash and away from the water.”
The FWC urges anyone who is confronted with or concerned about an alligator to call the toll-free Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-392-4286. A contracted nuisance alligator trapper will then be sent out to help.
