The Rainbow River in Marion County has reopened after a snorkeler was bitten by an alligator, sending the victim to the hospital and briefly raising fresh concern about safety in one of Florida’s most popular natural waterways.
FOX 35 Orlando reporter Garrett Wymer spoke with University of Florida wildlife ecology professor Dr. Frank Mazzotti after the attack, which involved an 8-foot-3-inch alligator that was later removed from the river.
The snorkeler was treated at a hospital and released, according to the information shared in Wymer’s report. The river reopened after nuisance alligator trappers located and removed the animal.
The incident was frightening, especially because Rainbow River is known for swimming, snorkeling, tubing, kayaking, and other recreation. But Mazzotti stressed that attacks like this are rare, even in a state with a large alligator population and millions of residents and tourists spending time near the water.
“It’s a very rare occurrence,” Mazzotti told Wymer. “You’re much more likely to get struck by lightning. You’re much more likely to get in a car accident on your way to wherever you’re going to go to encounter an alligator.”
That does not make the attack any less serious for the person who was bitten. It does, however, offer important context: Florida’s waterways are full of wildlife, but dangerous encounters remain uncommon compared with the number of people who use them every day.
An 8-Foot Alligator Is Removed From Rainbow River
The alligator involved in the incident measured about 8 feet, 3 inches, according to the details shared by FOX 35.
After the bite was reported, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission sent a contracted nuisance alligator trapper to the area. Deputies also helped locate the animal, and it was removed from the river.
Wymer reported that the river later reopened after the situation was considered resolved.
Mazzotti said the state’s nuisance alligator program is designed to address these kinds of cases quickly, particularly when an alligator has bitten a person or shown concerning behavior around people.
“Any time an alligator has attacked a canoe or bit a person, they deliberately go in to try to locate that particular alligator and remove it,” he said.
He described the program as an important safety system for Florida residents and tourists.
The fate of an alligator removed from the wild can vary, Mazzotti said. Some are killed and used for meat or hides, while especially large or notable animals may be sent to farms or attractions.
That part of the response can feel harsh to some people, but it reflects the state’s effort to prevent another dangerous encounter. Once an alligator has attacked or bitten a person, officials are unlikely to leave it in a heavily used recreational waterway.
Florida Waterways Can Always Have Alligators
One of the strongest messages from Mazzotti’s interview was simple: assume any body of water in Florida could contain an alligator.
Wymer noted that many longtime Floridians are taught that rule from an early age.
Mazzotti agreed.
“Any body of water can have an alligator in it,” he said.
He explained that waterways are connected, even in urban parts of the state. Heavy rain, flooding, canals, ponds, lakes, drainage systems, and natural water routes can all allow alligators to move into places people may not expect.
That means even a familiar swimming area is not automatically free of wildlife.
Rainbow River may look calm and inviting, with clear water and popular recreation spots, but it is still a natural Florida waterway. The same is true of lakes, canals, retention ponds, and many rivers across the state.
The lesson is not that people should avoid every lake or river. It is that comfort should not turn into carelessness.
Why Snorkeling Can Increase the Risk
Mazzotti said certain activities can make people more vulnerable around alligators.
Snorkeling is one of them.
He explained that a snorkeler is low in the water, often floating face down, with their head and body creating movement that an alligator could interpret as prey or as something entering its space.
“You’ve got this hairy head bobbing up and down,” Mazzotti said. “An alligator could interpret that as prey.”
He also said a person floating near a male alligator during mating season could be seen as entering its territory.
That does not mean alligators automatically see snorkelers as food. Most do not. But it helps explain why being fully in the water can carry more risk than standing on shore or paddling past at a distance.
Mazzotti said canoes and kayaks can also create issues if people get too close to alligators. In some cases, an animal may react defensively when it feels approached or crowded.
The more people enter the water, splash, float, swim, or move near an animal, the more chances there are for a misunderstanding between human behavior and animal instinct.
Keep Pets Away From the Water’s Edge
Mazzotti also gave a direct warning about walking dogs close to water where alligators may be present.
“Don’t walk your dog next to the water,” he said. “That’s like waving barbecue ribs in front of a hungry person.”
The comparison was blunt, but the point is easy to understand.
Dogs are small, active, and often move unpredictably near shorelines. To an alligator, they can resemble natural prey far more than an adult human does.
Mazzotti urged people to keep pets away from the water’s edge and to be especially cautious in areas where alligators are known to live.
This is one of the most practical pieces of advice in the interview because it is something people can control right away. Even if an alligator is not visible, giving the water’s edge some space can reduce risk.
The same idea applies to children, who may be drawn to shallow water, small fish, turtles, or birds. Staying close to shore does not always mean staying safe if the shoreline itself is where an alligator may be waiting.
What To Do When You See an Alligator
Wymer asked Mazzotti what people should do if they spot an alligator while swimming, snorkeling, or spending time near water.
Mazzotti said the size of the animal matters.
If someone sees a small alligator, around four feet or less, it is less likely to see a person as prey or as a serious territorial threat. But that does not mean people should approach it.
If the alligator is larger, especially six feet or more, Mazzotti said people should be more cautious and should get out of the water.
“If you do see an alligator and it’s a very large alligator, I would just recommend that you exercise caution and get out of the water,” he said.
That advice may sound obvious, but it is worth repeating because people often assume an alligator that appears still is harmless.
Alligators can remain motionless for long periods. They can also move quickly over short distances when they decide to act.
Mazzotti’s broader advice was to stay aware of surroundings rather than assuming a popular park or recreation area is automatically safe from wildlife.
Never Feed an Alligator
Mazzotti also warned people never to feed alligators.
Feeding them can make them lose their natural fear of humans. It can also cause them to associate people with food, creating danger for the next visitor who stands near the water.
That is one of the reasons Florida wildlife officials take nuisance alligators seriously. An animal that learns to approach people may become a long-term problem even if the first interaction seemed harmless.
Feeding wildlife is often treated like a small act of curiosity or kindness. With alligators, it can become a deadly mistake.
A fed alligator is not just more likely to approach the person who fed it. It may approach anyone nearby later, including children, anglers, swimmers, or people walking pets.
If an Alligator Attacks, Fight Back
The final part of Mazzotti’s advice was the most serious.
If someone is attacked by an alligator, he said they should fight as if their life depends on it.
“Stick your hand down its throat, poke it in the eyes, do whatever you can to free yourself,” Mazzotti said.
He explained that an alligator may release a person briefly to adjust its bite. That moment can be a chance to get away.
It is difficult advice to think about, but it reflects the reality of a rare emergency. Most people will never face an alligator attack. Those who do may only have seconds to respond.
Rainbow River has reopened, and the alligator involved in the bite has been removed. But the incident remains a reminder that Florida’s natural beauty comes with real wildlife risks.
Mazzotti’s message to people enjoying the water this summer was clear: be aware, respect the animals, keep your distance, and do not assume calm water means an alligator is not nearby.
For extra info, watch the FOX 35 Orlando video here.
A former park ranger and wildlife conservationist, Lisa’s passion for survival started with her deep connection to nature. Raised on a small farm in northern Wisconsin, she learned how to grow her own food, raise livestock, and live off the land. Lisa is our dedicated Second Amendment news writer and also focuses on homesteading, natural remedies, and survival strategies. Lisa aims to help others live more sustainably and prepare for the unexpected.
