In a startling incident, a man walking near the Forest Glen and Golf Course community in Naples, Florida, was attacked by a nearly 7-foot alligator. The incident occurred just after 5 a.m. on a Thursday morning. The Collier County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) reported the man suffered a bite to his leg and was subsequently airlifted to a hospital. His current condition remains undisclosed.

Following the attack, a deputy on the scene observed the alligator retreating towards a nearby lake. This information was relayed to an alligator trapper, leading to the reptile's capture. The CCSO confirmed the alligator was a female, measuring 6-foot-9.

This incident serves as a reminder of increased alligator activity during mating season. The CCSO cautioned residents to exercise vigilance near water bodies and dense vegetation, potential nesting areas for alligators. They emphasized that alligators are primarily active between dusk and dawn, advising people to plan their activities accordingly. This attack follows recent incidents involving alligators, including a fatal encounter in South Carolina and a non-fatal attack on a teenager near Orlando.

This incident comes shortly after a separate, non-fatal alligator attack on a 13-year-old boy swimming in a creek near Orlando. Additionally, a 69-year-old woman was tragically killed by an alligator while walking her dog in South Carolina earlier in the month. These incidents highlight the importance of awareness and caution during alligator mating season. While a man casually carrying a small alligator in Thibodaux, Louisiana might be an unusual sight, alligator encounters in Florida, particularly during mating season, are a serious concern.