Crocodile Attacks Man Whose Boat Capsizes In FL Everglades: Officials

FLORIDA EVERGLADES — A 68-year-old man is recovering from a crocodile attack after his sailboat capsized Sunday in the Florida Everglades, the U.S. National Park Service said.

Rangers responded around 4:45 p.m. to the Flamingo Marina in Everglades National Park on an apparent crocodile bite call.

After his boat toppled over, the man was seen trying to swim ashore but was seen going underwater, park officials said.

Rangers treated the man for a leg laceration, and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue took the man to a hospital, park officials said. He was in stable condition.

"Rangers and park biologists are continuing to investigate the incident and monitor the suspected crocodile, which is easily identifiable. The American crocodile is a federally-threatened species which closely resembles the American alligator," park officials said in a news release.

The National Park Service is coordinating with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for evaluation and follow the American Crocodile-Human Interaction Response Plan, park officials said.

"While the park is a safe place to visit, we remind visitors to stay alert and exercise caution, especially around wildlife. Swimming or wading is prohibited in all canals, ponds, freshwater lakes, marked channels and boat basins in Everglades National Park," park officials said in the release.