Florida sees a surge in alligator attacks: Officials say there has been a rise in the number of people being injured by the predators - and the weather could be to blame

  • Over the last few weeks, there have been an increase in the number of alligator attacks in Florida
  • An elderly woman had to be airlifted to a hospital after she was mauled by a 10ft gator at a gated community in Fort Meyers on July 9 
  • 'Alligators are more active when temperatures rise,' explained a spokeswoman for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
  • She added: 'combined with this being a popular time of year for people to recreate near the water, creates the potential for human-alligator interactions' 
  • There have been 16 bite incidents so far this year, according to officials, which equals the stateside record set in 2001

By MATTHEW WRIGHT FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

Published: | Updated:

The weather may be partial blame as to why their have been an increase in alligator attacks in southwest Florida.

Over the last few weeks, there have been an increase in the number of alligator attacks in the Sunshine state with an elderly woman having to be airlifted to a hospital after she was mauled by a 10ft gator at a gated community in Fort Meyers on July 9.

This follows just another attack where a huge beast bit the arm of a gold ball diver in Charlotte County. 

Over the last few weeks, there have been an increase in the number of alligator attacks in the Sunshine state with an elderly woman having to be airlifted to a hospital after she was mauled by a 10ft gator at a gated community in Fort Meyers on July 9.

Over the last few weeks, there have been an increase in the number of alligator attacks in the Sunshine state with an elderly woman having to be airlifted to a hospital after she was mauled by a 10ft gator at a gated community in Fort Meyers on July 9.

'Alligators are more active when temperatures rise,' explained a spokeswoman for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 

'Alligators are more active when temperatures rise,' explained a spokeswoman for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 

A 10-year-old boy, vacationing in Arcadia, just was bit by an alligator last week. 

'Alligators are more active when temperatures rise,' explained a spokeswoman for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, in an email to Fox News.

There have been 16 bite incidents so far this year, according to officials, which equals the stateside record set in 2001

There have been 16 bite incidents so far this year, according to officials, which equals the stateside record set in 2001

'That fact, combined with this being a popular time of year for people to recreate near the water, creates the potential for human-alligator interactions.' 

There have been 16 bite incidents so far this year, according to officials, which equals the stateside record set in 2001.

Even with those many attacks, officials still claim that attacks leaving serious injuries are rare. 

'From 1948 to 2016, 388 unprovoked bite incidents have occurred in Florida,' said the spokeswoman.

 Approximately 24 were fatal.

The spokeswoman added: 'FWC places the highest priority on public safety and administers a Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (SNAP) to address complaints concerning specific alligators believed to pose a threat to people, pets or property.'

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