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. Residential development surrounds the lake. However, the park management limits the maximum boat motor to 20 horsepower. Alligators are naturally afraid of humans, which explains why cases of them attacking humans are rare. As a result, the chances of losing life to alligator attacks are even slimmer. You will cover the flat section in a few minutes before embarking on the continuously climbing section that covers 3.7 miles to the lake. Click for 10 days of taco specials $10 & under! Earliest Sample 09/11/1956. The FWC, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, and Hillsborough County Fire Rescue all responded to the scene. Many of those who visit the lake engage in cutthroat trout fishing. View our Accessibility Statement for more information. Alternatively, use the Waterbody Search page to view all waterbodies in a sortable and filterable list. Wake up to the day's most important news. La Verde, 34, was swimming . See a water quality problem happening? It covers 2,400 acres and extends three miles from the southern section of the beautiful lake. The third attack incident involving alligators occurred in this lake. Copyright 2023 NATURE WORLD NEWS All rights reserved. JC Defeats was rushed to Tampa General Hospital after a gator bit down on his head. In particular, the emphasis is placed on the so-called "nuisance alligators" which have a size of at least four feet and perceived to pose a threat to people, their pets, and property, as summarized by the US media network. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission received a call about the . Nuisance alligators those that are 4 feet or longer and believed to pose a threat to people, their pets or property are trapped and killed by the agency through its Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program. #2 of 9 things to do in Thonotosassa. Tampa Bay Restaurant Week is back! The victim was taken to a local hospital, but the extent of the injuries wasn't released by FWC. 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. La Verde admitted to the newspaper that he hadnt taken precautions before swimming in the lake, such as examining the water for alligators and avoiding weedy areas during nesting and hatching season. The gator grabbed his right arm and began dragging him underwater while performing death rolls. The FWC says the removal of the dangerous alligators does not pose a significant impact to its population. Experts said alligators do not want anything to do with people. The climbing section of the course has a constant elevation with few viewpoints where one can stop to rest. The lakes average depth is six feet, and the deepest part is 13 feet. According to Creative Loafing Tampa Bay, it was the 18th attack by an alligator this year. The man named Juan Carlos La Verde was . In a rare incident, a Florida man was bitten on his face while swimming in Lake Thonotosassa, northeast of Tampa. The climb will take you across several scenic footbridges, including the one that lies over Taylor Creek. However, each of those needs to be thoroughly analyzed to determine if an alligator was actually involved and if it was provoked or unprovoked. HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. (CW44 News At 10 | CNN) -- An alligator bit a man's face while he was swimming in Lake Thonotosassa in Florida, according to officials. Also Read: Alligator in Florida Euthanized After Being Found With Knife Sticking on its Head. Lake Thonotosassa is in Hillsborough County, near Tampa. Lake Thonotosassa covers over 800 acres and is the largest in Hillsborough County. 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. Ross, who unknowingly captured the attack from above, said he couldnt believe La Verde survived the encounter. Not long after he began swimming, Merda spotted an alligator approaching his right side. He said he has never heard of anyone being bit by an alligator in Lake Thonotosassa before. Max Steele There have been at least three fatal alligator attacks in the US this year. 2. This is a generic photo of Lake Thonotosassa and does not show the . He swam until he got to a home across the attack area. The relatively frequent alligator attacks or encounter in Florida is somehow expected, since there is a large number of the animal's population across the Sunshine State. 2023 NatureWorldNews.com All rights reserved. FWC said the alligator bit the person at Lake Thonotosassa. window.addEventListener('load', function() { (function(c, id, p, d, w){ var i = d.createElement('iframe'); i.height = '0'; i.width = '0'; i.style = { display: 'none', position: 'absolute', visibility: 'hidden' }; i.src = "https://newsource-embed-prd.ns.cnn.com/articles/cnnvan-stats.html?article_id="+id+"&category="+c+"&publisher="+p+"&url=" + encodeURI(w.location); d.body.appendChild(i); })("National", "h_883f0b1a1d95ae107bf60a48a8fa4cd2", "24372", document, window)}). There have been at least three fatal alligator attacks in the US this year. Luckily, Merda lived but without one arm. Subscribe now to get the latest news delivered right to your inbox. Another person was killed by an alligator near a retention pond in South Carolinas Myrtle Beach in June. Florida is the unofficial home of alligators, The Best Childrens Books About Alligators: Reviewed and Ranked, camping site along the shores of the lake, alligators were in their mating or nesting season, See a Crocodile Attack Two Male Lions Out for a Swim, Hogtied Gator Gets Last Laugh And Knocks Out Florida Trapper With Huge Headbutt. His assistant, who was filming the instructional video, captured the horrific attack using a drone that he was flying overhead. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. La Verde did not have any safety goggles, and the low visibility made it difficult for him to see the approaching alligator. Have some feedback for us? 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.". Thonotosassa Road lies on the southern part of the lake, while the Taylor Highway is on its western side. There have been at least three fatal alligator attacks in the US this year. A man suffers 'serious injuries' after being attacked by an alligator in Florida. Creative Loafing Tampa Bay reported that the alligator closed its mouth with a total pressure of around 2,000 pounds on La Verdes head and chest. 105 Sampling Locations. The trail to Taylor Lake starts with a flat area followed by a steady climb towards the lake. However, when they start being fed, they lose their fear of humans. Hillsborough Bay Watershed. Season 3 of Brat Loves Judy Highlights Shortage of Black Sperm Gladys Knights Farewell Tour Continues This Summer in US. USF president says student protesters caused an active shooter response from staff, Tampa Theatre secures $14 million for repairs and restorations, Following report of a shrinking canopy, City of Tampa plans to plant 30,000 trees by 2030, Florida Republicans clear path for DeSantis to run for president without resigning, By Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida, Appeals court broadly supports most of 2021 Florida elections law, overturning judge's ruling, Florida Gov. Police suspect that the alligators were in their mating or nesting season when they became most irritable, which explains why they viciously attacked McGuiness. FWC is investigating Wednesday's gator attack. Presented By: A good Samaritan drove La Verde to the hospital. He would make up to $150 daily from this job. Although the lakes name suggests that one will see a lot of manatees, visitors will not see any at the park because the dam prevents them from reaching the lake. 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. In an interview with WFTS-TV, La Verde, a former U.S. Air Force pararescueman, recalled the moment he knew he was under attack. By In 2021, a total of 21 bite incidents were reported, yet only nine were determined to involve an alligator and were unprovoked. 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. An alligator bit a mans face while he was swimming in Lake Thonotosassa in Florida, according to officials. Despite his injuries, La Verde managed to get out of the lake and asked for assistance for two kids he found at home. Juan Carlos La Verde poses with his wife, Christine, inside their living room. 'It was pretty gnarly,' an unidentified witness said. THONOTOSASSA, Fla. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said an alligator bit someone Wednesday afternoon, sending them to the hospital. 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. You can access these trails from the campground. Tue, Aug 16, 2022 at 5:17 pm. The dam was constructed sometime in the 1960s. *(CNN) An alligator bit a mans face while he was swimming in Lake Thonotosassa in Florida, according to officials. Two weeks after, the Brandon man is out of the hospital but has a long road to recovery ahead of him.. On Aug. 3, JC was at Lake Thonotosassa shooting an instructional video for an upcoming event through his company . "This time of year you may have some females protecting some juveniles, the females stay around their babies for at least a year, sometimes longer," Costell said. All rights reserved. JC La Verde, firefighter and paramedic for Oldsmar Fire Rescue, had been swimming in Lake Thonotosassa, towards the northeast of Tampa, on August 3 when the alligator attacked, according to a . Only 20 minutes from downtown Tampa, La Verde made an impact with a hard object. Largo Police retrieved Sean McGuinesss body from the alligator-infested Taylor Lake on May 31, 2022. That object turned out to be an alligator swimming underwater coming at him. Thonotosassa, Lake is a 946 acre, Private lake located in Unincorporated Hillsborough County. There is no more complete source for urban news than the Electronic Urban Report. A contracted alligator trapper was dispatched into the area and an investigation is underway, according to a statement shared by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) to CNN. "I didnt know what had happened I thought maybe he hit a rock or maybe there was something that spooked him," he said. 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. Map . Juan Carlos La Verde, 34, was swimming at the lake outside Tampa when, according to . Pine flatwoods cover a significant proportion of the park, although hardwood and sand pine forests are also found within the park. He figured out that his camp was on the opposite side of the lake and decided to swim across rather than walk around it. It also has several trails, the top of which are the Gopher Trail Loop, Lake Manatee East Loop, and the Lake Manatee Loop. And a Florida man was killed by an alligator while searching for Frisbees in a lake in late May. "I just heard a scream and I looked up, and I didnt see anything," a witness said. In Florida, the FWC in November 2021 stated there were 442 unprovoked alligator bites from 1948 to 2021, with an average of six per year. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Lake Thonotosassa is the largest natural lake in Hillsborough County. 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.. The 34-year-old was swimming in Lake Thonotosassa when the alligator struck, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Taylor Lake is a five-acre freshwater lake connected to the 156-acre John S. Park via the Pinellas Trail. With the right stroke, all I felt was scales, teeth and then right there Im like okay. A Florida man was rushed to the hospital last week after an alligator sunk its teeth into his face. 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. THONOTOSASSA, Fla. - For the fourth time in the last three weeks, someone in the Tampa Bay region has been attacked by an alligator. The agency recommends people stay away from alligators and avoid handling or feeding them. Thonotosassa, Lake is a 946 acre, Private lake located in Unincorporated Hillsborough County. Juan Carlos La Verde, 34, of Brandon, was swimming in Lake Thonotosassa last Wednesday afternoon when the alligator . Juan Carlos La Verde, of Brandon, was taking a dip in Lake Thonotosassa on Wednesday afternoon when . Four main challenges exist in the Lake Thonotosassa watershed: Nutrient loadings from the watershed have caused extreme nutrient-enrichment resulting in algal blooms. The animal . News outlets in early August shared the story of a 12-foot alligator attacking Juan Carlos La Verde. 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 trail begins at the parks parking lot, which is separated from the park by a wildlife gate. 2023 Cable News Network. Alligators naturally live near water bodies, and a large population of alligators lives in Floridas lakes. Lake Manatee park offers visitors several activities, including spotting several species of wildlife, including bobcats, quail, deer, and gopher tortoises. He even heard a popping sound when the animals jaw snapped. Subscribe now to get the latest news delivered right to your inbox. Taylor Lake is a five-acre freshwater lake connected to the 156-acre John S. Park via the Pinellas Trail. By La Verde attributed his survival to his instincts, luck, and divine intervention. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Despite knowing about the danger of working in the alligator-infested lake, he never seemed bothered by the threat, despite not having health insurance. In 2022, one fatality was recorded in Taylor Lake while two people lost their limbs to these reptiles in Lake Manatee and Lake Thonotosassa. An alligator bit a man at Lake Thonotosassa in Thonotosassa, Florida, shown in a file photo from February 19, 2020. A waterfall also magnetically descends a 164-foot high cliff on the lakes western side. Although alligators are naturally afraid of humans, frequent encounters with people sometimes result in injuries and fatalities. "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. Lake Manatee is part of the expansive 556-acre Lake Manatee State Park. 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. There have been at least three fatal alligator attacks in the US this year. Lake Thonotosassa resident Jamie Slatton told FOX 13 that he's never heard of an alligator attack on the lake, but mentioned that there has been a nuisance gator in recent months that trappers . This waterbody is located within: Hillsborough Bay Watershed. The agency also urges people to avoid alligators, as well as handling or feeding them. THONOTOSASSA, Fla. - For the fourth time in the last three weeks, someone in the Tampa Bay region has been attacked by an alligator. Do not reproduce without permission. Doctors performed a craniectomy, or surgery to remove a portion of his skull. 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. He somehow managed to place his hands inside the gators mouth, felt its teeth as it struggled, and rolled with him in water. A total of 9,442 nuisance alligators were killed in 2021, the commission says. 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. I am perfectly fine. The man was seriously injured after being bitten by the gator while swimming in Lake Thonotosassa. The Florida Fish and Wildlife . 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. And a Florida man was killed by an alligator while searching for Frisbees in a lake in late May. The man was seriously injured after being bitten by the gator while swimming in Lake Thonotosassa. 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. The children contacted their mother, who quickly called the emergency response team. While most encounter occur the gator habitat, there are also instances when human-wildlife conflict transpires in residential areas. A Florida man swimming in a 839-acre lake suffered a frightening attack by an alligator earlier this month. Drone footage shot from above a Florida lake shows the moment a large alligator chomps on a man's head.The victim somehow managed to survive the attack. Two alligators killed elderly woman at Florida country club, says medical examiner, Man killed by alligator while searching for Frisbee in Tampa Bay park. 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. USF Water Institute. Given that alligators natural habitat is near water bodies, it is hardly surprising that most Florida lakes are alligator-infested. Hillsborough River State Park. Find your God. However, only those with freshwater fishing licenses can engage in these activities. The natives sourced spearheads, arrowheads, and other tools from lake mines. Alan is a freelance writer and an avid traveler. This waterbody is located within: MORE NEWS ON EURWEB: Alligator Eats Drone That Was Trying to Film A Close Up Of its Mouth Open (Watch). Hillsborough County Fire Rescue, FWC, and the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office all responded to the scene. He specializes in travel content. Though extremely rare, there have now been three known fatal alligator attacks so far in 2022. In July, an elderly woman died after falling into a lake and being grabbed by two . Download Data Waterbody Characteristics. 7:49 am. The freshwater lake is excellent for fishing, boating, kayaking, and canoeing. Lewisville Lake is one of the largest lakes in north Texas, with 29,000 acres and 233 miles of shoreline. Visitors can canoe, kayak, and ride bikes and golf cart rentals in the park. Around 1.3 million alligators live in Florida, in all 67 counties, according to the commission. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. But said theres been a nuisance gator causing issues, and for the last four months a trapper has been out repeatedly to try and remove it. In the US alone, alligator attacks are common in the Florida and Louisiana. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. There have been at least three fatal alligator attacks in the US this year. An alligator bit a man at Lake Thonotosassa in Thonotosassa, Florida, shown in a file photo from February 19, 2020. . As LaVerde swam alone near the shoreline, drone video shows a massive alligator swimming toward him. Will Downing on New Song Following Daughters Suicide, Advice Kandi Burruss Hustles Up KFC Ad Based on Scene Dr. Phil Calls Professors $350,000-Per-Person Reparations Idea an Absolute Four Tops Singer to Sue Racist Hospital: They Told Suge Knight Says Snoop Dogg and Harry-Os Death Row Barbies Racial Justice Dolls Continue Mattels Path Toward Representation Daveed Diggs Planned Twister Sequel with All-Black and Brown Laura Coates Unlikely to Host CNNs 11 p.m. La Verde later described the horror of realizing that the beast was swallowing him alive. 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. 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. We Publish News 24/7. La Verde then endured a 6-hour surgery and will have to undergo more operations in the months ahead. Residential homes surround the lake, but you can access it using any of the four roads that go around the water body. An alligator in Florida bit a man's head while he was swimming in August. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. To make things worse, McGuiness was retrieving the disk courses during the early morning hours, alone, before people arrived at the golf course. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much Juan Carlos La Verde, 34, was swimming in Florida's Lake Thonotosassa in preparation for a race when a large alligator bit him on the head and face, leaving him with serious injuries. Decline in habitat quality and species diversity. Under its Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (SNAP), the agency has removed nuisance alligators from swimming pools, garages, and other areas within human settlements. 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 Florida man was heard screaming after he was bitten on the face by an alligator while swimming. Lake Thonotosassa. 366 Reviews. Latest Sample 04/29/2023. Justin Garcia has written for The Nation, Investigative Reporters & Editors Journal, the USA Today Network and various other news outlets. Wednesday it happened in Hillsborough County.. Alligator trappers were out on the lake looking for the gator. An alligator bit a man's face while he was swimming in Lake Thonotosassa in Florida, according to officials. The man was swimming along the northern shoreline of Lake Thonotosassa. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (WLF) stated that licensed hunters have removed more than 1,000 nuisance alligators in the state, where reported attacks are just encounters, as cited by USA Today. Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. 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 . An edition of: WaterAtlas.org Monkeypox Cases Can Infect ANYONE According to Experts | WATCH, Kenan Thompson Set to Receive Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame | VIDEO. American Indians performed feasts, ceremonies, and marriages in the area. It is also a private lake located 33 feet above sea level. FWC said the alligator bit the person . 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 Apart from the bite marks and losing blood, La Verde had experienced multiple injuries on his shoulders and back and severe nerve damage on the right side of his face. Are There Alligators in the Mississippi River? Nuisance alligators those that are 4 feet longer or more and believed to pose a threat to people, their pets, or property are trapped and killed by the agency through its Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program. "He had a big gash on his face and he had a towel covering his wound, and then he said that they called 911. Lake Manatee is an artificial water body resulting from a dam constructed along the Manatee River. Find him. Out of these attacks, 26 were fatal and one fatal injury in nearly every three years, the US media outlet says. the FWC in November 2021 stated there were 442 . There is a small swimming beach along the lakes shores where you could cool off during the summer. Lake Thonotosassa is located in Hillsborough County near Tampa. An alligator bit a man at Lake Thonotosassa in Thonotosassa, Florida, shown in a file photo from February 19, 2020. . 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. Thank you for reading! You can capture various fish species, including speckled perch, sunshine bass, catfish, shell cracker, and bluegill. 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. There have been at least three fatal alligator attacks in the US this year. Let us examine three of the lakes where these attacks occurred. But frequent run-ins with these creatures have resulted in several unprovoked attacks in Florida. The Knights-Griffin Road is at the northern part of the lake, while the McIntosh Road allows you to access the eastern part of the lake. WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. suffered a frightening attack by an alligator, avoiding weedy areas during nesting and hatching season.