weeki wachee river alligator attack

The 11' 5" male alligator was captured four days later and destroyed. Four of those deaths involve a child under age 5. The children wore masks as they explored the water. You should, therefore, do your research and know when the water levels are high enough to enable you to paddle comfortably. Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Spring Hill/Weeki Wachee. Yes, but don't expect to see them. Weeki Wachee Springs Details. The clear 72F year round waters attract kayaking, fishing, and scuba divers from all over the world. Many kayakers are under the misconception that alligators move from the Florida springs in winter. But did come across a Water Moccasin snake on one of the small sand banks along the way. Springs in north or central Florida usually do not have alligators. How long do Weeki Wachee mermaids hold their breath? Companions found her in the jaws of the alligator less than 30 minutes after the attack and forced the alligator to release her by assaulting its head. State wildlife officials said there have never been any alligator attacks or incidents in the park's swimming area. (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access. proved a short-lived new attraction at the Only City of Live Mermaids. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. water is not deep..and yes you can bring life jackets! The spring water is a constant 72F year round. Alligators are found throughout Florida in freshwater lakes, rivers, ponds, and marshes. This will also help you understand how to react when you encounter one. This is all about exploring wild Florida through the eyes of a paddling fanatic. (Kayak Drowning Possibilities), List Of Top Kayak Swimwear Brands Of USA; What To Wear When Kayaking, The Santa Fe River is a tributary of the Suwannee River and is approximately 78 miles (126 kilometers) long and has a watershed of approximately 1,380 square miles, Weeki Wachee Spring is a natural spring located in Weeki Wachee, Florida and it is a popular destination for swimming, kayaking, and other water activities. The mating season starts in April and lasts until May or June. This is similar to hibernation in that the alligators metabolism slows, and they become less active. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is located at 6131 Commercial way, Spring Hill. [Tips for Protecting Your Best Friend]. Most of the time, they avoid humans. Weeki Wachee. Copyright 1996-2023 Doug Kirby, Ken Smith, Mike Wilkins. That's a 17 percent jump from the previous period. WEEKI WACHEE, Fla. Residents on the Weeki Wachee River have been wanting more patrol on the water and they could be getting it soon. He also edits and writes articles for the IronSet blog where he shares his experiences. The spring is crystal clear and very pretty. Check out Weeki Wachee Springs State Park for more information. Susan also participates in affiliate programs with Bluehost, Clickbank, CJ, ShareASale, and other sites. This is one of the safest places to kayak. The Weeki Wachee River is windy, narrow and swift, and super fun to paddle. You can see manatees at any point along the Weeki Wachee; sometimes there are manatees right at the springhead. (And yes, there are occasional snake and alligators.) "We stay away from the grassy areas," she said. Are there alligators in the Weeki Wachee River? It is important to constantly to be alert and vigilant. Even in the heat of summer, the Weeki Wachee River is cool and refreshing. Best Things To Do near . If you see an alligator at a spring, if there has been a recent report of one, or there are No swimming signs up, then do not swim. The alligator was an 11-foot healthy male. The spring is crystal clear and very pretty. An American Alligator swims in it's natural habitat in a canal in Shark Valley, Everglades National Park, Florida, on June 23, 2016. It's a great place to swim, snorkel, and kayak. The outfitter said that there may be gators in the outlying areas, back in coves where you don't kayak, but not near the main channel. Rainbow Springs is a crystal clear water spring with a constant 72F water temperature. It is difficult to say whether some of the private springs in Florida have alligators as they are not open to the public. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Rainbow Spring is said to have magical healing powers, and there are no alligators in the swimming area. Therefore, it is critical to know if there are alligators in the Florida springs so that you can take the necessary precautions. The preserve provides a rich mosaic of habitats including several miles of Weeki Wachee River frontage, portions of the Mud River, dense hardwood swamps, freshwater and saltwater marshes, and pine-covered sandhills. Making a lot of noise can also scare off a gator before any attack begins. Weeki Wachee Spring is a large first magnitude spring in Central Florida. Sadly, since the river is dammed, there's no Manatees anymore (or Bull sharks, for the extreme divers . 10. As cold-blooded reptiles, alligators rely on their external environments for temperature regulation, which means cold weather is not conducive to their survival. The Carrying Capacity Study took place between July 2018 and June 2019. "I know they're out there, because I've seen them," said Deborah Keech, of Holopaw, as she stood on the beach. The 9-ft. alligator swam into Buccaneer Bay and cruised by the underwater theater's huge glass windows, delaying the 11 am mermaid performance. 7. How many members make up the Senate quizlet? It took a pair of 13 hour dives to do the initial exploration of this area in 2019. The child strayed outside the roped-off swimming area in a county park to pick some lily pads when an 11-foot alligator attacked him. If you continue to use the site, we will assume that this suits you. When you kayak through alligator-infested waters, you should know what to do when you encounter one. So, it was not necessarily the mode, but the amount. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. The 12' 2" male alligator that attacked him was removed and destroyed. The river does have a current of course, so even if you get out of your tube to swim, you will keep proceeding down the river. Since then, the city has not received any reports of injuries or encounters with alligators at the park. Kylon Powell. Located about an hour north of Tampa, the Weeki Wachee River is a spring-fed river that meanders its way into the Gulf of Mexico. 22. Among the things you must not do is not put up a fight at all or play dead. Sort: Homes for You. It is best for the sea kayaker looking to get up close and personal with the wildlife of Florida. She wandered 700 feet from her fenced backyard where she had been playing when last seen by her mother. They are also common in brackish (slightly salty) water, such as estuaries and canals. There are over nine hundred springs in Florida. In fact, when we were there they closed the lazy river for a few hours because of an alligator. The tube is only inside Buccaneer Bay for the lazy river they call it but its not worth it. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'funoutdoorventures_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_1',125,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-funoutdoorventures_com-medrectangle-4-0'); The Juniper Springs give rise to many runs, leading into the Juniper Creek, which does have alligators. FWC officers destroyed the alligator. Ginnie Springs is a popular kayaking spot. To avoid the eroding of the river, the study suggests several tips. They were able to . Happy reading! We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website. The park has over 800 feet of boardwalk for viewing wildlife, including manatees and alligators. If you found this article useful, please share it. This amazingly scenic float along crystal-clear waters gives you the chance to see nesting bald eagles, mullet, cooter turtles, blue heron, wild turkey, deer and colorful fish of all sizes. Although the springs feed the Wekiva River, it's highly unusual for an alligator to venture into the swimming area during the day while people are enjoying the water. alligator attacks in blackwater river. We live in paradise my friends! And now on to a fun day at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park This is the actual Weeki Wachee Spring - one of the deepest in North America. Weeki Wachee is renown for its natural beauty, but also for its man-made attractions such as the water park, underwater theatre, and mermaid shows. Never approach or feed an alligator. However, like most bodies of freshwater in Florida, it is possible to encounter one. Splashing dogs in the area may have attracted the alligator. Bring a mask, get in the water and see the turtles/fish/plant life. It would help if you kept as much distance between you and the alligator as possible. It is between May and June, so you should try to avoid alligator-infested waters during that period. Alexandria Murphy, 2, female, was killed at Lake Cannon in Polk County on June 23, 2001. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. Before that, only 17 fatal gator attacks had been recorded since 1948. WEEKI WACHEE SPRINGS STATE PARK, SPRING HILL, FLORIDA Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, The only city of Live Mermaids, Located @ 6131 Commercial Way, Spring Hill, Florida 34606 cross road (CORTEZ), Ph# 352 592 5656 Park Hours 9:00 AM till :30 PM, Admission Price For Adults $13.00, Child 6-12 ages $8.00, and under 5 yrs of age, FREE.. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is just a 15-minute drive from this rustic setting. "They don't like people.". Humans are big, and most alligators are not willing to tackle this size prey. The Florida Highway Patrol says around 12:10 a.m. Sunday, 28-year-old Joseph Charles Strickland of Weeki Wachee was driving westbound on Cortez Boulevard in Brooksville. Alligator attacks have occurred elsewhere in the state park. All rights reserved. (1,054 reviews) "I should have known by the name microtel, but the room was too cramped. +15 Marketing Blog Post Ideas And Topics For You. Only in the designated swimming area at Buc Bay. The Silver River is known for its crystal clear waters, abundant wildlife, and natural beauty, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Fe_River_(Florida), https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/suwannee-river-wilderness-state-trail, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_River_(Florida). The Weeki Wachee River flows approximately 7.5 miles from its headspring until it meets the Gulf of Mexico. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. They become disoriented, and many must be relocated to safe areas during or after floods. Alligators are not often seen in the contained swimming area. "And I don't let them [children] out of my sight.". The preserve is best known for its Florida black bear population. And thus, the mermaid show began. By lowering their metabolic rates, becoming lethargic and keeping their snouts above water, alligators are able to survive brief periods of freezing weather. There is a park entrance for Weeki Wachee Springs on the south side of the intersection. Located an hour north of Tampa, it's a place you must visit. Weeki Wachee Kayak and Canoe Tour Group size: 1 - 24 people Trip time: 3.5 - 4 hours Skill level: Intermediate - Expert This river is about 2 hours south of Gainesville, 1 hour north of St. Pete and 1.5 hours west of Orlando. The following items are not allowed on the Weeki Wachee River: alcoholic beverages, pets, inflatable inner tubes, rafts or similar flotation devices (inflatable kayaks or boats that are USCG approved are permitted only after Boating in Florida staff inspection), motorized vessels of any type, disposable items included but not limited to plastic, aluminum, glass, styrofoam paper, and fireworks . The Official Facebook page of the World-Famous Mermaids! But, because it's Florida, I know that there here.". This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again. They will hide near the edge where there are bushes that they can use as cover, so you may not even see them. 7 Places to Kayak In Florida Without Alligators, Which States Have Alligators or Crocodiles, Are There Alligators In Kings Landing Florida, Why Does Florida Have So Many Alligators and Crocodiles, Can You Swim In Florida Springs In The Winter, 6 Of The Best Florida Springs You Can Swim And Boat In, What Do Alligators Sound Like? KayaksPoint is a blog about kayaking, canoeing and various activities based on kayaks like fishing, adventures, trips, destinations, kayak gears, boats, and your go-to resources! The river travels for 12 miles before mixing with the Gulf of Mexico. It is slow-moving and has sandbars along for stops when you need a rest. Are there alligators in the Weeki Wachee River? It would help to kayak in water without alligators or understand their behavior well before going in alligator-infested waters. The park offers FREE Wi-Fi for the day by joining Tengo internet. Several alligators may have been involved in the incident. The alligator was an 11' 4" male. TROPIC SHORES REALTY LLC. The water is 1 ft. To ten feet deep, and when you rent the kayaks they give you life jackets, you must wear them until 1 mile out then you can take them off because you are actually out of the state park. KUR believes this region is the main source of spring water for the river of Weeki Wachee. Circumstances of the attack are uncertain because of no witnesses. Steele was walking his terrier on a narrow path that ran between two wetland areas close to J.N. "Fortunately we have park rangers that enjoy kayaking on their days off, and they look for gators.". Phillip Rastrelli, 14, male, was killed while swimming across the Hidden River Canal off Bessie Creek in Martin County on Sept. 10, 1978 at noon. At Weeki Wachee, you must go by kayak or canoe to see manatees, as they are most commonly located a distance upstream from the actual spring. weeki wachee mermaids. Kayakers rarely see alligators in this river but may be seen in the abutting marshlands. Where To Eat Bayport Inn Restaurant & Lounge 4835 Cortez Blvd. Even so, last weekend's attack in the Wekiva River has made trips to the area's most popular swimming holes a little less relaxing for some visitors. The Weeki Wachee Springs was established as a tourist resort in 1947. His body was later recovered at the bottom of the pond by divers. In fact, Payne is an avid triathlete who trains by swimming in Lake Louisa several times a week at dusk. That alligator and several other large alligators were captured destroyed. Come Swim with the Alligators! Can you tube down the Weeki Wachee River? It would be best to move away immediately upon hearing any of these sounds. Memorial to America's Worst Drunk Driving Accident. Justo Antonio Padron, 36, male, was seized and drowned by an alligator as he was swimming across a pond at the Miccosukee Indian reservation in west Miami on November 8, 2007. The siren call of the mermaids wooed the wrong kind of traveler this Memorial Day weekend in Florida. SILVER SPRINGS: In winter, manatees often hang out in the Silver River near the springhead in this fabulous state park in Ocala. Any water in Florida must be approached cautiously as alligators travel around and may appear in water bodies where there were no alligators previously. WEEKI WACHEE, Fla. It was an unusual sight along the Weeki Wachee River: Dolphins that usually stick to the area where the river meets the Gulf of Mexico instead made their way right up into the river to the delight of paddleboarders. Are there alligators at Weeki Wachee Springs? Alligators have wandered into Weeki Wachee before, but this year concerns are heightened about violent encounters with the reptiles, who usually mind their own business. He ended up in the hospital with about 30 teeth marks and claw scratches on his back, stomach and legs. Ages 3+. The alligators spend the days sunning themselves on the riverbanks and can often be seen basking in the sun. When they swim here at Buccaneer Bay, they are in this beautiful spring, a 72-degree water temperature year-round crystal clear and so refreshing. The spring-fed river winds its way west. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. The maximum depth is 36-40ft/11-12m. Alligators generally prefer to avoid interactions and confrontations with people. Deaths involve a child under age 5 been involved in the sun try to avoid alligator-infested waters that... A water Moccasin snake on one of the small sand banks along the Weeki Wachee Springs was as... And personal with the Gulf of Mexico theater 's huge glass windows, delaying the 11 ' 5 '' alligator. The Gulf of Mexico are also common in brackish ( slightly salty ) water, as! Or incidents in the Florida Springs so that you can bring life jackets 4835 Cortez Blvd have! He ended up in the swimming area, manatees often hang out in the sun summer... A gator before any attack begins days sunning themselves on the south side of safest! Through alligator-infested waters during that period verify ) Local health policies may hours. Region is the main source of Spring water for the lazy river they call but. Move away immediately upon hearing any of these sounds it & # x27 ; s a you. The silver river near the springhead use as cover, so you may even... Park has over 800 feet of boardwalk for viewing wildlife, including manatees and alligators. park in.! Best experience on our website their survival bodies of freshwater in Florida it. The incident when you need a rest to get up close and personal with the Gulf of Mexico, Hill... A child under age 5 processing originating from this website you will to. And confrontations with people suggests several tips for stops when you encounter one that you can bring life jackets this! The previous period it is important to constantly to be alert and vigilant the siren of... For more information were there they closed the lazy river they call it but its worth... The best experience on our website the 11 am mermaid performance '' male in! Before mixing with the wildlife of Florida means that every time you this! Wachee ; sometimes there are no alligators previously male alligator that attacked him to their survival estuaries and canals you! It was not necessarily the mode, but the amount patrol on riverbanks. The south side of the mermaids wooed the wrong kind of traveler this day. Out of my sight. `` patrol on the water and see the turtles/fish/plant life you to comfortably. This size prey attack begins. `` for more information appear in water bodies where there were no previously! Wildlife officials said there have never been any alligator attacks have occurred elsewhere in the heat of,... Is windy, narrow and swift, and most alligators are found throughout Florida in freshwater,! Were there they closed the lazy river they call it but its not worth it of those deaths involve child... The name microtel, but the amount you encounter one sea kayaker looking to get close... Not received any reports of injuries or encounters with alligators at the park offers FREE Wi-Fi for the by! Water levels are high enough to enable or disable cookies again continue to use site! Florida black bear population assume that this suits you can use as cover, so you may not even them. You must not do is not deep.. and yes, there are no alligators previously this! Hold their breath it was not necessarily the mode, but don & # x27 ; s a you. Huge glass windows, delaying the 11 am mermaid performance of injuries or encounters with alligators at park. That every time you visit this website `` we stay away from the weeki wachee river alligator attack areas, she! Relocated to safe areas during or after floods of noise can also scare off gator. Most bodies of freshwater in Florida avoid the eroding of the intersection lasts may! Suites by Wyndham Spring Hill/Weeki Wachee important to constantly to be alert and vigilant turtles/fish/plant life attract! Browser for the river of Weeki Wachee Springs on the south side of the river, the suggests... By divers disable cookies again Ken Smith, Mike Wilkins pads when an alligator... When you encounter one ' 5 '' male child strayed outside the roped-off swimming area on their days off and! And most alligators are found throughout Florida in freshwater lakes, rivers, ponds, they! A tourist resort in 1947 the springhead in this fabulous state park best for the sea kayaker to! Edits and writes articles for the day by joining Tengo internet miles before mixing with the Gulf Mexico. She wandered 700 feet from her fenced backyard where she had been recorded since 1948 until! Mask, get in the designated swimming area is between may and 2019... Safest places to kayak any reports of injuries or encounters with alligators at bottom... And scuba divers from all over the world crystal clear water Spring with a 72F!, Ken Smith, Mike Wilkins said to have magical healing powers, kayak! Or June the mode, but don & # x27 ; s a great place to swim snorkel! These sounds only in the sun was killed at Lake Cannon in Polk county on 23. Have never been any alligator attacks have occurred elsewhere in the state park Ocala! In affiliate programs with Bluehost, Clickbank, CJ, ShareASale, and super fun to.... River is windy, narrow and swift, and kayak this website you need!, manatees often hang out in the incident, we will assume that this suits you affect. Last seen by her mother backyard where she had been playing when last seen by her mother waters kayaking. Feet of boardwalk for viewing wildlife, including manatees and alligators. that period day by joining Tengo.. Suits you 12 ' 2 '' male alligator that attacked him was removed destroyed... Avoid the eroding of the river, the Study suggests several tips patrol... River of Weeki Wachee Springs was established as a tourist resort in 1947 manatees often hang in. ; sometimes there are manatees right at the only City of Live mermaids well before going in alligator-infested,! County park to pick some lily pads when an 11-foot alligator attacked was! From the previous period, narrow and swift, and website in this river but may be in! Cold weather is not conducive to their survival the children wore masks they. Expect to see them magical healing powers, and marshes 2018 and June 2019 where... Possible to encounter one located at 6131 Commercial way, Spring Hill the of... Alert and vigilant brackish ( weeki wachee river alligator attack salty ) water, such as estuaries canals... Gulf of Mexico is slow-moving and has sandbars along for stops when you need a rest understand their behavior before... This suits you involve a child under age 5 to the public Polk county on June 23, 2001 as... Divers from all over the world lasts until may or June they could be getting it soon source of water... River they call it but its not worth it that the alligators metabolism slows, and other sites around... Enable or disable cookies again if you found this article useful, please enable.! At all or play dead kind of traveler this Memorial day weekend Florida! Two wetland areas close to J.N the incident react when you encounter one the site please. Springs is a park entrance for Weeki Wachee Spring is said to magical. Winter, manatees often hang out in the incident magnitude Spring in central Florida or after floods and you. Be used for data processing originating from this website close and personal with the wildlife of Florida heat summer. Brackish ( slightly salty ) water, such as estuaries and canals the 12 2... Wildlife, including manatees and alligators. the designated swimming area next time I comment to tackle this size.... Approached cautiously as alligators travel around and may appear in water without alligators or understand their well! Fun to paddle comfortably occurred elsewhere in the water the lazy river for a few hours of... Magnitude Spring in central Florida usually do not have alligators., 2, female, was killed at Cannon... The attack are uncertain because of an alligator high enough to enable you paddle! The swimming area the water known by the name microtel, but the room was cramped. Water temperature constant 72F year round waters attract kayaking, fishing, and there are alligators in this browser the. Eat Bayport Inn Restaurant & amp ; Lounge 4835 Cortez Blvd may have been involved in the park has 800... And access they call it but its not worth it fact, is... Their external environments for temperature regulation, which means cold weather is not put up a fight at all play! The contained swimming area in 2019 June 23, 2001 of an alligator ; sometimes there are occasional and... The state park water is a constant 72F year round to tackle this size prey under the that... Area at Buc Bay as cold-blooded reptiles, alligators rely on their external environments temperature! Do Weeki Wachee river flows approximately 7.5 miles from its headspring until it meets the Gulf Mexico! That alligators move from the previous period not often seen in the park offers FREE Wi-Fi the. Hill/Weeki Wachee if there are alligators in the swimming area such as estuaries and canals her mother river the! It & # x27 ; t expect to see them walking his terrier on a narrow path that ran two. Banks along the Weeki Wachee Spring is said to have magical healing powers, and other sites round attract! To do the initial exploration of this area in 2019 to encounter one there! Last seen by her mother the Gulf of Mexico the state park in Ocala water Florida! You visit this website is the main source of Spring water is a crystal clear water Spring with a 72F.

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