Juvenile injured after alligator attack in Umatilla, FWC says
A Juvenile was bitten by an alligator while fishing at Nelsons fish camp
Updated: 11:52 AM EDT Jun 28, 2026
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is investigating an alligator attack that left a juvenile injured. FWC says the juvenile was fishing from the shore at Nelson’s Fish Camp in Umatilla, when officials say the 8’7″ alligator bit the victim on the hand.The Alligator was subsequently killed after the incident, FWC says. FWC has not confirmed the extent of the injury. WESH is working to learn how this alligator was able to attack the boy.This is the 2nd reported alligator attack in 7 days within Central Florida. Last week, a snorkeler was bitten by an 8’3″ alligator while in the Rainbow river in Dunnellon. The man was taken to the hospital to be treated for his injuries and has since been released, according to FWC. While serious injuries caused by alligators are rare in Florida, the FWC offers the following tips about how to safely co-exist with them:Keep a safe distance if you see an alligator and never feed one. When fed, alligators can lose their natural wariness and instead learn to associate people with the availability of food.Swim only in designated swimming areas during daylight hours. Alligators are most active between dusk and dawn.Keep pets on a leash and away from the water’s edge and never let them swim in fresh or brackish water. Pets often resemble alligators’ natural prey.Call the FWC’s Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286) if you believe an alligator poses a threat to people, pets or property, and the FWC will dispatch a contracted nuisance alligator trapper to resolve the situation. The FWC places the highest priority on public safety and administers a Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (SNAP) to proactively address alligator threats in developed areas, while conserving alligators in areas where they naturally occur. >> This is a developing story and will be updated as more information is releasedChristian Bussiere is an assignment editor and writer at WESH.
UMATILLA, Fla. —
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is investigating an alligator attack that left a juvenile injured.
FWC says the juvenile was fishing from the shore at Nelson’s Fish Camp in Umatilla, when officials say the 8’7″ alligator bit the victim on the hand.
The Alligator was subsequently killed after the incident, FWC says.
FWC has not confirmed the extent of the injury. WESH is working to learn how this alligator was able to attack the boy.
This is the 2nd reported alligator attack in 7 days within Central Florida. Last week, a snorkeler was bitten by an 8’3″ alligator while in the Rainbow river in Dunnellon. The man was taken to the hospital to be treated for his injuries and has since been released, according to FWC.
While serious injuries caused by alligators are rare in Florida, the FWC offers the following tips about how to safely co-exist with them:
Keep a safe distance if you see an alligator and never feed one. When fed, alligators can lose their natural wariness and instead learn to associate people with the availability of food.Swim only in designated swimming areas during daylight hours. Alligators are most active between dusk and dawn.Keep pets on a leash and away from the water’s edge and never let them swim in fresh or brackish water. Pets often resemble alligators’ natural prey.Call the FWC’s Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286) if you believe an alligator poses a threat to people, pets or property, and the FWC will dispatch a contracted nuisance alligator trapper to resolve the situation. The FWC places the highest priority on public safety and administers a Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (SNAP) to proactively address alligator threats in developed areas, while conserving alligators in areas where they naturally occur.
>> This is a developing story and will be updated as more information is released
Christian Bussiere is an assignment editor and writer at WESH.