Man Killed in Possible Alligator Attack

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is investigating the Monday death of a 62-year-old man in what has been characterized as a possible alligator attack.

James Okkerse died while in the waters at Blue Spring State Park near Orange City, according to the agency.

While it is not immediately known if an alligator spotted in the water near Okkerse had anything to do with the death, “our staff removed (an) approximately 10-foot alligator from the area and euthanized it,” said FWC spokeswoman Katie Purcell.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time,” Purcell told Patch.

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It is unclear at this time if bite marks were on the body. Purcell said the agency is investigating the details of the death and will have more information soon.

Despite its bustling alligator population, fatal attacks are not common in the state of Florida. Between 1948 and 2013, there have been 22 fatalities recorded, according to FWC records. During that period, a total of 122 minor bites and 235 major bites were also logged. The last fatal alligator attack on record occurred in 2007.

Alligator-related human fatalities might not be common, but encounters with the creatures are. Those encounters add up to so many over the course of any given year that the state has set up its own hotline to accept nuisance alligator calls. That number is 1-866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286).

In 2013 alone, the state fielded 15,036 nuisance alligator calls, which resulted in the removal of 6,605 creatures.

Earlier this year, a woman in the Orlando area lost an arm in an alligator attack. A black Labrador retriever in Tampa also disappeared after an encounter in Rowlett Park.

Photo courtesy of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission