A man visiting a popular city park in Florida has been killed in a suspected alligator attack, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
The victim was a 47-year-old man and it happened at John S. Taylor Park in the town of Largo, Pinellas County, about 20 miles east of Tampa.
Investigators have not released the name of the man, whose body was discovered on Tuesday, May 31.
“A contracted nuisance alligator trapper is working to remove a nearby alligator and efforts will be made to determine if he was involved in this situation,” state officials said.
John S. Taylor Park is 156 acres and includes a 53-acre freshwater lake, according to Pinellas County Parks & Preserves.
The incident is still under investigation.
“Detectives believe the victim was searching for Frisbees in the water and an alligator was involved,” the Largo Police Department said in a news release.
“There are signs saying that it is forbidden to swim in the lake. … Residents and visitors are reminded not to swim or approach the lake under any circumstances.
There are approximately 1.3 million alligators in Florida and “they are found in freshwater lakes, ponds, swamps and slow-flowing rivers in all 67 Florida counties,” reports Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
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