PORT ST. JOHN, Fla. — A woman in Brevard County was bitten Saturday by an alligator.
- Incident happened Saturday in area of Fay Lake Wilderness Park
- Victim airlifted to Holmes Regional Medical Center
- LINK: FWC page on alligators
It happened at a pond between State Road 407 and State Road 528. Florida Fish and Wildlife were seen near Golfview Boulevard and Port St. John Parkway Saturday afternoon.
Officials said the woman had significant bite wounds.
Dave Nygard said he was out there when it happened.
"We pulled her out and her side, and her thigh was open, and about 30 seconds later I see a gator head pop-up, all of about 8 foot," said Nygard.
She was taken to a helicopter and was airlifted to Holmes Regional Medical Center.
Mark McHugh, President and CEO of Gatorland, said for the most part alligators are afraid of people, but we are in mating season and males can very territorial and aggressive.
"If you are in one of these back woods, these secluded ponds that that don't have a lot of human activity, you need to really be on the alert watching for alligators,” said McHugh.
McHugh said if you are attacked to make as much noise as you can.
FWC said the injuries to the woman are non-life threatening.
The incident is currently under investigation.
"The FWC would like to remind Florida's residents and visitors that Alligators become more visible and active during spring and summer. When temperatures rise, their metabolism increases, resulting in more movement and higher visibility," the FWC said in a statement to media outlets.