Luckily, the scary incident only lasted a few seconds, and La Verde managed to wrestle his way out of the jaws of death. The park offers several amenities, including a golf course, a walking trail, and fishing activities on the lake. Taylor Lake is not the most crocodile-infested water body in Florida, but it is the location of the first incident involving an alligator attack in 2022. There is no more complete source for urban news than the Electronic Urban Report. The climb will take you across several scenic footbridges, including the one that lies over Taylor Creek. Experts said alligators do not want anything to do with people. Another person was killed by an alligator near a retention pond in South Carolinas Myrtle Beach in June. Alligators are naturally afraid of humans, which explains why cases of them attacking humans are rare. The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said agents contracted a nuisance alligator trapper at the location, but there has been no word if the specific gator has been captured. Taylor Lake is a five-acre freshwater lake connected to the 156-acre John S. Park via the Pinellas Trail. The agency recommends people stay away from alligators and avoid handling or feeding them. The La Verdes on their boat in a lake behind their house, before the alligator attack. European immigrants later settled in the place. Let us examine three of the lakes where these attacks occurred. Find your God. While the Plott hound is the state dog of North Carolina, it is a very rare breed and not well-known in other states. Have some feedback for us? The Savannah Bananas will bring 'the greatest show in sports' to Tampa this weekend, New coffee in Seminole Heights, Chef Suzanne Lara has a new Tampa concept, and more Tampa Bay foodie news. What areas in Tampa Bay are best suited for oyster reef restoration? Once you cross the second bridge, you can either continue on the path toward Taylor Lake or take the diversion towards OBrien Lake, some 1.3 miles away. A file photo of an alligator with its mouth open. Local authorities confirmed the incident occurred in the afternoon hours of Thursday. *(CNN) An alligator bit a mans face while he was swimming in Lake Thonotosassa in Florida, according to officials. Lake Manatee park offers visitors several activities, including spotting several species of wildlife, including bobcats, quail, deer, and gopher tortoises. The freshwater lake is excellent for fishing, boating, kayaking, and canoeing. The FWC says the removal of the dangerous alligators does not pose a significant impact to its population. Hillsborough Bay Watershed. When I felt the teeth, I immediately knew, and then as I opened it I knew that I either turned it or it turned me, but it was confused just as I was confused, and then it just let go.. However, the park management limits the maximum boat motor to 20 horsepower. The US government relocated many Seminole Indians to the area around the lake during the 19th-century Seminole Wars. The lake was also a religious site. The third attack incident involving alligators occurred in this lake. When you walk down it by the lake, you'll stand right there and look at you like he's in a hunting mode," he explained. The second alligator attack on a lake happened to Eric Merda while swimming across the lake. Increased abundance of non-native plant species. Once you get to Taylor Lakes shores, you can spot Munt Bell, which rises 2,379 feet above the lake level. As of July 25, FWC said a total of 16 alligator bite incidents have been reported to the agency. He also does not know why the alligator suddenly decided to let go, allowing him to safety. Did you encounter any technical issues? You can capture various fish species, including speckled perch, sunshine bass, catfish, shell cracker, and bluegill. Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County, EPC Water Quality data gathered from reports, FDEP Southwest Regional Operations Center, Hillsborough County Environmental Management Division, LAKEWATCH Supplemental Water Quality Sampling, LAKEWATCH Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring. Wednesday it happened in Hillsborough County.. In 2022, one fatality was recorded in Taylor Lake while two people lost their limbs to these reptiles in Lake Manatee and Lake Thonotosassa. Unfortunately, the park does not have lifeguards; swimming is at ones own risk. It is unclear if whether or not the man was aware of the danger lurking in the Florida lake, which is a common habitat of the reptiles in the state but also in other inland bodies of water in the United States and other countries worldwide. But frequent run-ins with these creatures have resulted in several unprovoked attacks in Florida. The trail begins at the parks parking lot, which is separated from the park by a wildlife gate. Related Article: Alligator Drinks Box of Diet Coke Cans at Florida Couple's Home, Tags He specializes in travel content. A Florida man swimming in a 839-acre lake suffered a frightening attack by an alligator earlier this month. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission received a call about the . According to Creative Loafing Tampa Bay, it was the 18th attack by an alligator this year. It is a challenging but manageable trail. There are no roads that cross it, but the four roads that go around it are: Taylor Road/Fort King Highway (west), Thonotosassa Road . The park offers several amenities, including a golf course, a walking trail, and . The gator's bite was enough to crush a portion of the man's skull and break his jaw. In an interview with WFTS-TV, La Verde, a former U.S. Air Force pararescueman, recalled the moment he knew he was under attack. La Verde then endured a 6-hour surgery and will have to undergo more operations in the months ahead. An alligator in Florida bit a man's head while he was swimming in August. The climbing section of the course has a constant elevation with few viewpoints where one can stop to rest. This waterbody is located within: Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. Luckily, Merda lived but without one arm. Its silly. Thu, Aug 4, 2022 at 2:29 pm, The Savannah Bananas will bring 'the greatest show in sports' to Tampa this weekend, New coffee in Seminole Heights, Chef Suzanne Lara has a new Tampa concept, and more Tampa Bay foodie news. An alligator bit a man at Lake Thonotosassa in Thonotosassa, Florida, shown in a file photo from February 19, 2020. . The Hillsborough County Fire Rescue transported the 34-year-old victim to the hospital, the fish and wildlife commission said, adding that it dispatched a contracted alligator trapper to the lake and is continuing to investigate the incident. In a terrifying video, a Florida man was viciously attacked by a 12-foot alligator in Lake Thonotosassa, and was left without the right side of his skull. Some incidents transpired inside golf course areas and gated communities where the murky is also resided by the reptilians. The park has a camping site located near the lake. Four main challenges exist in the Lake Thonotosassa watershed: Nutrient loadings from the watershed have caused extreme nutrient-enrichment resulting in algal blooms. The man named Juan Carlos La Verde was . 15402 N US Highway 301, Thonotosassa, FL 33592-2318. Two alligators killed elderly woman at Florida country club, says medical examiner, Man killed by alligator while searching for Frisbee in Tampa Bay park. An edition of: WaterAtlas.org A Florida alligator took a chomp of a man's face when he was swimming in Lake Thonotosassa in Hillsborough County on Thursday, August 4. Thonotosassa, Lake is a 946 acre, Private lake located in Unincorporated Hillsborough County. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. The Hillsborough County Fire Rescue transported the 34-year-old victim to the hospital, the FWC said, adding that it dispatched a contracted alligator trapper to the lake and is continuing to investigate the incident. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) received a call about the incident at around 3:45 PM on Thursday, according to a statement shared with CNN. Given that alligators natural habitat is near water bodies, it is hardly surprising that most Florida lakes are alligator-infested. "The reason we've been calling on him is he's been coming up, you know, on our banks in front of the house, and he's not scared. This attack, along the shoreline of Lake Thonotosassa in Hillsborough County, was actually captured on video by drone hovering above the lake. Doctors performed a craniectomy, or surgery to remove a portion of his skull. It also has several trails, the top of which are the Gopher Trail Loop, Lake Manatee East Loop, and the Lake Manatee Loop. . For the fourth time in the last three weeks, someone in the Tampa Bay region has been attacked by an alligator. Despite knowing about the danger of working in the alligator-infested lake, he never seemed bothered by the threat, despite not having health insurance. Ensure you have your fishing license if you plan to engage in the activity on the lake. 2023 FOX Television Stations, until MON 7:00 PM EDT, Inland Flagler County, Coastal Flagler County, DeSantis in Japan ahead of expected US presidential bid, Trump extends lead over DeSantis in new poll, FOX 35 Care Force: Cleaning up the Wekiva River for Earth Day, Cleaning up the Wekiva River for Earth Day, New Orlando ice cream shop highlights gluten-free ice cream, Florida man attacks another man with golf club on Lake County course, deputies say, Larry 'Gator' Rivers, Harlem Globetrotter legend from Georgia, dies at 73, Downtown Orlando bars now need special permit to sell alcohol after midnight, Buckeye woman stung more than 75 times during family photo shoot, first responders say, 2 high schoolers killed, 4 others hurt in shooting at house party in Mississippi. The only fatality involving a water body occurred when an individual got into the lake while searching for frisbees, also known as disk courses. The children contacted their mother, who quickly called the emergency response team. Also Read: Alligator in Florida Euthanized After Being Found With Knife Sticking on its Head. By suffered a frightening attack by an alligator, avoiding weedy areas during nesting and hatching season. A Florida man was rushed to the hospital last week after an alligator sunk its teeth into his face. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); WHO WE AREThe news you want unfiltered.The Electronic Urban Report/EUR puts the most buzz worthy African American news at your fingertips. A Florida man swimming in a 839-acre lake suffered a frightening attack by an alligator earlier this month. Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. All Rights Reserved. Juan Carlos La Verde poses with his wife, Christine, inside their living room. Save. And I had a med kit in my car so I gave him gauze and an emergency kit to stop the bleeding and then the ambulance showed up.". Lake Manatee is an artificial water body resulting from a dam constructed along the Manatee River. 2023 Cable News Network. Click for 10 days of taco specials $10 & under! For the fourth time in the last three weeks, someone in the Tampa Bay region has been attacked by an alligator. A number of these deadly alligator attacks occurred within the lake or its vicinity as people go near them. THONOTOSASSA, Fla. - For the fourth time in the last three weeks, someone in the Tampa Bay region has been attacked by an alligator. The 34-year-old victim survived the incident and was immediate hospitalized following yet another unprovoked alligator attack in the state. "It was pretty gnarly, it was definitely an alligator bite on his face," he said. The Florida Fish and Wildlife . Florida alligator, alligator attack, Lake Thonotosassa, Hillsborough County, Florida alligator attack, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, FWC, Animal attack, gator attack, United States, us. I am perfectly fine. Report it here. 222,553 Samples. By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. Decline in habitat quality and species diversity. on Do not reproduce without permission. 2. Merda managed to come up three times during the struggle before the alligator took off with significant parts of his arm. Alternatively, use the Waterbody Search page to view all waterbodies in a sortable and filterable list. A waterfall also magnetically descends a 164-foot high cliff on the lakes western side. Lewisville Lake is one of the largest lakes in north Texas, with 29,000 acres and 233 miles of shoreline. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Juan Carlos La Verde can be seen swimming . Pine flatwoods cover a significant proportion of the park, although hardwood and sand pine forests are also found within the park. The lake is popular among those who love to fish for bluegills, black crappies, and largemouth bass. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Will Downing on New Song Following Daughters Suicide, Advice to Parents, Issa Rae and Shameik Moore Would Unalive Spiders Matthew Lawrence Opens Up About Hollywood Casting Couch & More | PicVideos. Lake Thonotosassa presents many recreational activities for residents and visitors. Only 20 minutes from downtown Tampa, La Verde made an impact with a hard object. The alligator bit the face of a man while he was swimming in Lake Thonotosassa in Florida, in a case of another unprovoked attack in the state. So, what I think I did, what I felt like I did, was that I immediately tried to open its jaws because I knew I was in a gator, La Verde said. Issa Rae and Shameik Moore Would Unalive Spiders Matthew Lawrence Shaquille ONeal Releasing New Hip-Hop Track to Celebrate NBA Playoffs, Elon Musk Announces Charging Option for Publishers on Twitter. McGuiness had epilepsy and was diagnosed with a pituitary gland tumor. "I didnt know what had happened I thought maybe he hit a rock or maybe there was something that spooked him," he said. Drone pilot Matt Ross was filming Juan Carlos La Verde, a firefighter and paramedic, when La Verde suddenly felt a 12-foot gator "pierce" his skin and make his head "pop," per Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. A witness at the scene of the attack said they only heard a scream initially and later, the victim emerged from the water with a "big gash" and taken to the hospital., Viral News, Times Now There have been at least three fatal alligator attacks in the US this year. Alligator in Florida Euthanized After Being Found With Knife Sticking on its Head, Alligator Drinks Box of Diet Coke Cans at Florida Couple's Home, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Invasive Lanternfly Continues Spread in New York, Might Take Down Grape and Wine Industry, Severe Thunderstorms, Tornadoes, Large Hail Threaten 15 Million Residents in Texas, Giant 10-Foot Great White Shark Stranded Along South Carolina Beach, Death Remains a Mystery, Antarctica During Dinosaur Era Ravaged by Frequent Forest Fires [Study], $20k Reward Money Up For Finding Boat Operator Who Drove Over California Sea Lions in the Columbia River. Tue, Aug 16, 2022 at 5:17 pm. The parks management has installed several signs warning visitors to avoid feeding the alligators or swimming in the lake. Lake Manatee also serves as a freshwater reservoir for Sarasota and Manatee counties. We are continually improving the user experience for everyone, and applying the relevant accessibility standards. Lake Thonotosassa is an 942 acres (381 ha) lake that is named after the census-designated place (CDP) that it is in, which is Thonotosassa, Florida. The lake area is also popular among golfers, given the beautiful course on the shores. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Juan Carlos La Verde, 34, of Brandon, was swimming in Lake Thonotosassa last Wednesday afternoon when the alligator . Huge Florida Gator Eats a Smaller Florida Gator in Most Florida Video Ever. News outlets reported the case of 47-year-old Sean McGuiness, who earned a living by retrieving disk courses and selling each for $5. The green lake looks like there could be something lurking under the surface, and that turned out to be true, because the American triathlete Bill Berry swam into an alligator during his training session. Lake Thonotosassa is in Hillsborough County, near Tampa. 2023 FOX Television Stations, until MON 8:00 PM EDT, Pinellas County, Coastal Hillsborough County, Coastal Manatee County, Coastal Sarasota County, Suspected Seminole Heights serial killer Howell Trae Donaldson pleads guilty to 4 murders, Bucs linebacker Shaquil Barrett's 2-year-old daughter drowns in family swimming pool, USF football player arrested for domestic battery, DeSantis board votes to countersue Disney in response to lawsuit, Heart attack survivor competes in St. Anthony's triathlon after hospital saved her life. This analysis uses modeling and multiple criteria to answer that question. Copyright 2023 NATURE WORLD NEWS All rights reserved. FWC said the alligator bit the person at Lake Thonotosassa. THONOTOSASSA, Fla. - It is hard to say what is more incredible, that JC Defeats was bitten in the head by an alligator and survived, or that the brutal attack was caught on camera. Taylor Lake is a five-acre freshwater lake connected to the 156-acre John S. Park via the Pinellas Trail. Residential homes surround the lake, but you can access it using any of the four roads that go around the water body. The-CNN-Wire Visitors can canoe, kayak, and ride bikes and golf cart rentals in the park. Updated 2023 NatureWorldNews.com All rights reserved. The US wildlife agency also received the initial details of the incident when it received a call at around 3:45 p.m. local time on the said date. However, each of those needs to be thoroughly analyzed to determine if an alligator was actually involved and if it was provoked or unprovoked. Once you walk past the gate, you will see the marked trail to the lake on the right-hand side. In a rare incident, a Florida man was bitten on his face while swimming in Lake Thonotosassa, northeast of Tampa. I am actually even better because this gave me a new perspective, you know, and not many people get that, La Verde told WFTS-TV. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission received a call about the . The Hillsborough River State Park, one of the states parks, is a popular zone near the lake. There have been at least three fatal alligator attacks in the US this year. Florida is the unofficial home for alligators, given the high number of these reptiles in the state. Taylor Lake is not the most crocodile-infested water body in Florida, but it is the location of the first incident involving an alligator attack in 2022. A Florida man was heard screaming after he was bitten on the face by an alligator while swimming. A good Samaritan drove La Verde to the hospital. "He had a big gash on his face and he had a towel covering his wound, and then he said that they called 911. In the US alone, alligator attacks are common in the Florida and Louisiana. Later in the emergency room, La Verde underwent a six-hour craniotomy and jaw surgery that saw surgeons remove a section of his temporal lobe. "I just heard a scream and I looked up, and I didnt see anything," a witness said. It is also a private lake located 33 feet above sea level. La Verde was recording an instructional film for his organization when the alligator attacked and engulfed his upper body up to his torso area. Are There Alligators in the Mississippi River? Lake Thonotosassa covers over 800 acres and is the largest in Hillsborough County. You have entered an incorrect email address! Visualize Tampa Bay sea level rise and changes to coastal habitats and the resulting "blue carbon" benefits, View bathymetry, vegetation surveys, and habitat analysis for west-central Florida tidal creeks, Be informed about important water-related news with implications in Hillsborough County and elsewhere, Watch these videos to learn how to protect and enjoy Tampa Bay's waterways, This interactive map brings all water resource-related information together in one place, Use this interactive map to find data from continuously-reporting monitoring stations, Use this tool to graph water resource data and to download data for your own analysis, Visualize spatial and temporal changes in important water quality measures, View the geographic distribution and variability of rainfall amounts, access statistical rainfall summaries, or download rainfall data, Find a particular water resource on any of the Water Atlas websites using this tool, Search our library of water-related documents, maps, websites, videos and organizations, Find information about habitat-enhancement projects in the Tampa Bay watershed from 1970 to the present, Be informed about important water-related news with implications in the Tampa Bay watershed, Find opportunities for recreation, volunteering, and citizen participation, Find information to help homeowners, businesses, and contractors reduce stormwater pollution, Watch these videos to learn about Tampa Bay and how you can help protect it, View images of Tampa Bay's people, places, and natural resources, Join other volunteers to keep tabs on these amphibian water quality sentinels, Learn about ways you can help to restore Tampa Bay's watersheds. The alligator that attacked La Verde miraculously let him go after one massive bite on his head Credit: Getty. 9. As a result, the chances of losing life to alligator attacks are even slimmer. On August 3, 2022, Oldsmar, FL firefighter Juan Carlos La Verde took a swim in Lake Thonotosassa. Subscribe now to get the latest news delivered right to your inbox. Under its Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (SNAP), the agency has removed nuisance alligators from swimming pools, garages, and other areas within human settlements. Discovery Company. An alligator bit a man at Lake Thonotosassa in Thonotosassa, Florida, shown in a file photo from February 19, 2020. The man had been swimming in Lake Thonotosassa, towards the northeast of Tampa, when the attack . Dont Miss A Story. Merda swam to the shore, began screaming for help, and eventually got assistance three days later. La Verde attributed his survival to his instincts, luck, and divine intervention. A man suffers 'serious injuries' after being attacked by an alligator in Florida. Decline in the abundance of desirable sport fish. The bite was enough to crush a portion of La Verdes skull and break his jaw. FWC said the alligator bit the person . However, La Verde is still looking up despite the scary encounter. As LaVerde swam alone near the shoreline, drone video shows a massive alligator swimming toward him. Hillsborough County Fire Rescue, FWC, and the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office all responded to the scene. (Photo : Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images). Part of HuffPost News. Download Data Waterbody Characteristics. A man has sustained "serious injuries" to his arm after being attacked by an alligator in Manatee County, Florida. I get that thats scary, I do, but life is a scary place, so you can carry that load by yourself or have someone carry it for you.. Learn about the habitat restoration assessment, design, and techniques that have been successfully utilized over the past four decades to restore coastal ecosystems in Tampa Bay. Monkeypox Cases Can Infect ANYONE According to Experts | WATCH, Kenan Thompson Set to Receive Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame | VIDEO. Lake Thonotosassa. A Florida man's swim in Lake Thonotosassa took a nasty turn when he was bitten in the face by an alligator. Not long after he began swimming, Merda spotted an alligator approaching his right side. It was not until the man walked back to the private property where he had parked that it was clear he had been attacked by an alligator. View our Accessibility Statement for more information. 105 Sampling Locations. The FWC, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, and Hillsborough County Fire Rescue all responded to the scene. The lakes average depth is six feet, and the deepest part is 13 feet. Scroll to read more Tampa Bay News articles. The USF Water Institute is committed to ensuring that our websites conform with Accessibility Support guidelines for people who need to use assistive technologies. Drone pilot Matt Ross was filming Juan Carlos La Verde, a firefighter and paramedic, when La Verde suddenly felt a 12-foot gator pierce his skin and make his head pop, per Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. Around 1.3 million alligators live in Florida, in all 67 counties, according to the commission. Largo Police retrieved Sean McGuinesss body from the alligator-infested Taylor Lake on May 31, 2022. Latest Sample 04/29/2023. In 2021, a total of 21 bite incidents were reported, yet only nine were determined to involve an alligator and were unprovoked. Wednesday it happened in Hillsborough County. Justin Garcia has written for The Nation, Investigative Reporters & Editors Journal, the USA Today Network and various other news outlets. Find him. We Publish News 24/7. He even heard a popping sound when the animals jaw snapped. He went for a swim in Lake Thonotosassa just outside of Tampa on Wednesday, August 3 when the alligator swam directly upon him and began to attack, per WFTS Tampa News.. La Verde, who often goes by "JC Defeats," was swimming in the lake to film an instructional video for his company . THONOTOSASSA, Fla. - For the fourth time in the last three weeks, someone in the Tampa Bay region has been attacked by an alligator. The natives sourced spearheads, arrowheads, and other tools from lake mines. Merda was walking solo along one of the trails, took some diversions, and found himself at the shores of Lake Manatee. #2 of 9 things to do in Thonotosassa. Tampa Theatre secures $14 million for repairs and restorations, USF president says student protesters caused an active shooter response from staff, Following report of a shrinking canopy, City of Tampa plans to plant 30,000 trees by 2030, Florida bill allowing landlords to charge tenants a monthly non-refundable fee in lieu of a security deposit heads to DeSantis, By Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida, Florida Republicans vote to lower gun-buying age, reversing changes made after Parkland, Florida Republicans clear path for DeSantis to run for president without resigning. "Its usually not the person feeding the gator that gets bit, it's somebody that doesnt even know theres a gator there that ends up getting bit," said ZooTampa Associate Curator of Reptiles & Fish, Dan Costell. With the right stroke, all I felt was scales, teeth and then right there Im like okay. View our Accessibility Statement for more information. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission received a call about the incident at around 3:45 p.m. Thursday, according to a statement shared with CNN. Juan Carlos La Verde, 34, was swimming at the lake outside Tampa when, according to . Tampa Bay Restaurant Week is back! An alligator bit a man's face while he was swimming in Lake Thonotosassa in Florida, according to officials. & 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. The animal . USF Water Institute. Whats the Biggest Alligator Ever Found in the Mississippi River? 7:49 am. The gator grabbed his right arm and began dragging him underwater while performing death rolls. This is a generic photo of Lake Thonotosassa and does not show the specific site of the attack. The man was swimming along the northern shoreline of Lake Thonotosassa. "There's tons of gators in there," said 16-year-old Seth Wynn who fishes on the lake. "Ive been out here my whole life, we swim behind the house, my kids swim behind the house," said neighbor Jamie Slatton. When he's not writing, Justin likes to make music, read, play basketball and spend time with loved ones. Forever FLOTUS Michelle Obama Jams w/Bruce Springsteen Will Smith Posts BTS of Emancipation & More | WATCH, Lil Meech Calls Cap on 2-Year-Old Pic w/Groupie Doctor Says Oral Sex Causes Throat Cancer & More | PicsVideos, Ne-Yo Says Celebs Are Weirdos-Hes Willing to Love Down A Plain Jane + Ime Udoka Publicly Apologizes for Affair & More | PicsVideos. Although alligators are naturally afraid of humans, frequent encounters with people sometimes result in injuries and fatalities. The agency recommends people stay away from alligators and avoid handling or feeding them. The man was seriously injured after being bitten by the gator while swimming in Lake Thonotosassa.