Female kayaker attacked by alligator at Florida wildlife preserve

An alligator attacked a woman while she was kayaking in Florida, wildlife officials said.The predator bit the woman’s elbow while she was paddling at the Tiger Creek Preserve in Polk County on Monday, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission [FWC].She was rushed to a local hospital, officials said, without detailing her condition.An alligator trapper was called to try to find the guilty ‘gator — with other kayakers soon seen back out on the water soon after the rare attack, Click Orlando reported.Alligator expert Brandon Fisher said the animals typically avoid kayakers, suggesting that this one may have felt threatened — especially because it’s breeding season.“If you’re out on a kayak, canoe, or boat, you just have to be aware of your surroundings and not approach these animals,” Fisher said.“They are apex predators and will defend themselves,” he said.

“It’s Florida, we know there are alligators, and it’s bound to happen at some point.Unfortunately, accidents happen, and we never want to see this happen for either party.”...