A man was transported to the hospital after he was reportedly bit by a crocodile in Everglades National Park on March 10.
Rangers responded to Flamingo Marina in the park to find a 68-year-old male with a laceration on his leg. The man reportedly capsized his recreational sailboat in the marina basin and attempted to swim to shore when he was observed going underwater. The man was treated by rangers and transported by Miami Dade Fire Rescue to a hospital in Miami.
Rangers and park biologists are continuing to investigate the incident and monitor the suspected crocodile, which is easily identifiable. The American crocodile is a federally- threatened species which closely resembles the American alligator.
The National Park Service is coordinating closely with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to evaluate the situation and follow the American Crocodile-Human Interaction Response Plan. This plan allows for the translocation of crocodiles under certain circumstances as a means to address human-crocodile conflict.
While the park is a safe place to visit, park rangers remind visitors to stay alert and exercise caution, especially around wildlife. Swimming or wading is prohibited in all canals, ponds, freshwater lakes, marked channels and boat basins in Everglades National Park.
