Hiker Bitten by Alligator at CREW Bird Rookery Swamp Trail

A woman was bitten on the arm and leg by an alligator while hiking through water at the CREW Bird Rookery Swamp Trail this past Sunday. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officials say the contact was unintentional but painful—and it's prompting reminders that these are wild areas, and not without risk.

What Happened

While navigating a water-covered stretch of the trail, the hiker inadvertently made contact with an alligator, which promptly bit her on both her arm and leg. She was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.

FWC dispatched nuisance trappers to the location the following day, but it remains unclear whether the alligator in question was captured.

Trail Users Speak Up

Local hikers voiced concerns. One frequent hiker commenting there’s many alligator sightings there recently — and admitted the incident could happen to them. They even left a Google review advising fellow trail users to proceed with caution.

Others emphasized wildlife coexistence: saying that its not the gators fault, it’s the gators home & they should considering relocating it.

Why It Matters Locally

• Wildlife crossover zones: The trail runs through genuine gator habitat — always expect wildlife encounters.

• Rare but serious: FWC underscores that attacks like this are uncommon, but not impossible — especially when hiking through water.

• Safety over surprises: This incident is a wake-up call to follow best practices, like sticking to dry land, hiking in pairs, and maintaining distance.