Hillsborough Bay Watershed. The park offers several amenities, including a golf course, a walking trail, and fishing activities on the lake. The park has a camping site located near the lake. Scroll to read more Tampa Bay News articles. A man was hospitalized after an alligator bit him in the face at This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. But said theres been a nuisance gator causing issues, and for the last four months a trapper has been out repeatedly to try and remove it. 15402 N US Highway 301, Thonotosassa, FL 33592-2318. Its silly. Once you cross the second bridge, you can either continue on the path toward Taylor Lake or take the diversion towards OBrien Lake, some 1.3 miles away. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission received a call about the . A Florida man's swim in Lake Thonotosassa took a nasty turn when he was bitten in the face by an alligator. Man Loses Part of Skull in Horror Alligator Attack'I Was - Newsweek In Florida, the FWC in November 2021 stated there were 442 unprovoked alligator bites from 1948 to 2021, with an average of six per year. Map . Tampa Bay Restaurant Week is back! The alligator that attacked La Verde miraculously let him go after one massive bite on his head Credit: Getty. A number of these deadly alligator attacks occurred within the lake or its vicinity as people go near them. Merda swam to the shore, began screaming for help, and eventually got assistance three days later. The FWC, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, and Hillsborough County Fire Rescue all responded to the scene. Copyright 2023 NATURE WORLD NEWS All rights reserved. However, only those with freshwater fishing licenses can engage in these activities. The 10 Most Alligator Infested Lakes in the United States JC Defeats was rushed to Tampa General Hospital after a gator bit down on his head. An alligator attacked Merda as he swam in Lake Manatee Fish Camp on July 17, 2022, leaving him without an arm. It covers 2,400 acres and extends three miles from the southern section of the beautiful lake. He figured out that his camp was on the opposite side of the lake and decided to swim across rather than walk around it. Apart from the bite marks and losing blood, La Verde had experienced multiple injuries on his shoulders and back and severe nerve damage on the right side of his face. In July, an elderly woman died after falling into a lake and being grabbed by two alligators in Florida. All Rights Reserved. Hillsborough River State Park. The climbing section of the course has a constant elevation with few viewpoints where one can stop to rest. Alligator in Florida Euthanized After Being Found With Knife Sticking on its Head, Alligator Drinks Box of Diet Coke Cans at Florida Couple's Home, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Invasive Lanternfly Continues Spread in New York, Might Take Down Grape and Wine Industry, Severe Thunderstorms, Tornadoes, Large Hail Threaten 15 Million Residents in Texas, Giant 10-Foot Great White Shark Stranded Along South Carolina Beach, Death Remains a Mystery, Antarctica During Dinosaur Era Ravaged by Frequent Forest Fires [Study], $20k Reward Money Up For Finding Boat Operator Who Drove Over California Sea Lions in the Columbia River. The freshwater lake is excellent for fishing, boating, kayaking, and canoeing. The Hillsborough County Fire Rescue transported the 34-year-old victim to the hospital, the fish and wildlife commission said, adding that it dispatched a contracted alligator trapper to the lake and is continuing to investigate the incident. An alligator bit a man at Lake Thonotosassa in Thonotosassa, Florida, shown in a file photo from February 19, 2020. La Verde, 34, was swimming . Juan Carlos La Verde, 34, was swimming in Florida's Lake Thonotosassa in preparation for a race when a large alligator bit him on the head and face, leaving him with serious injuries. Lake Thonotosassa | Lake Details - TampaBay.WaterAtlas.org Lake Thonotosassa covers over 800 acres and is the largest in Hillsborough County. A waterfall also magnetically descends a 164-foot high cliff on the lakes western side. suffered a frightening attack by an alligator, avoiding weedy areas during nesting and hatching season. An alligator bit a mans face while he was swimming in Lake Thonotosassa in Florida, according to officials. Decline in habitat quality and species diversity. An alligator bit a man's face while he was swimming in Lake Thonotosassa in Florida, according to officials. "Ive been out here my whole life, we swim behind the house, my kids swim behind the house," said neighbor Jamie Slatton. American triathlete magically escapes from alligator attack [VIDEO Max Steele Lake Lewisville, Texas. USF president says student protesters caused an active shooter response from staff, Tampa Theatre secures $14 million for repairs and restorations, Following report of a shrinking canopy, City of Tampa plans to plant 30,000 trees by 2030, Florida Republicans clear path for DeSantis to run for president without resigning, By Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida, Appeals court broadly supports most of 2021 Florida elections law, overturning judge's ruling, Florida Gov. on Lake Thonotosassa resident Jamie Slatton told FOX 13 that he's never heard of an alligator attack on the lake, but mentioned that there has been a nuisance gator in recent months that trappers . Earliest Sample 09/11/1956. Lake Manatee also serves as a freshwater reservoir for Sarasota and Manatee counties. While the Plott hound is the state dog of North Carolina, it is a very rare breed and not well-known in other states. A total of 9,442 nuisance alligators were killed in 2021, the FWC says. They are followed by Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina in terms of the number of related gator attacks. Juan Carlos La Verde, 34, was swimming at the lake outside Tampa when, according to . USF Water Institute. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Save. This is a generic photo of Lake Thonotosassa and does not show the . He also does not know why the alligator suddenly decided to let go, allowing him to safety. This is a generic photo of Lake Thonotosassa and does not show the specific site of the attack. 2023 Cable News Network. All rights reserved. FWC said the alligator bit the person . The-CNN-Wire The relatively frequent alligator attacks or encounter in Florida is somehow expected, since there is a large number of the animal's population across the Sunshine State. When you walk down it by the lake, you'll stand right there and look at you like he's in a hunting mode," he explained. A man was hospitalized after an alligator bit him in the face at a La Verde attributed his survival to his instincts, luck, and divine intervention. You can capture various fish species, including speckled perch, sunshine bass, catfish, shell cracker, and bluegill. There is also a camping site along the shores of the lake where you can relax after the unforgiving climb to the lake. The lake was also a religious site. A good Samaritan drove La Verde to the hospital. Let us examine three of the lakes where these attacks occurred. A file photo of an alligator with its mouth open. A Florida man swimming in a 839-acre lake suffered a frightening attack by an alligator earlier this month. Thonotosassa, Lake is a 946 acre, Private lake located in Unincorporated Hillsborough County. 105 Sampling Locations. Do not reproduce without permission. Despite knowing about the danger of working in the alligator-infested lake, he never seemed bothered by the threat, despite not having health insurance. Justin Garcia An alligator in Florida bit a man's head while he was swimming in August. Forever FLOTUS Michelle Obama Jams w/Bruce Springsteen Will Smith Posts BTS of Emancipation & More | WATCH, Lil Meech Calls Cap on 2-Year-Old Pic w/Groupie Doctor Says Oral Sex Causes Throat Cancer & More | PicsVideos, Ne-Yo Says Celebs Are Weirdos-Hes Willing to Love Down A Plain Jane + Ime Udoka Publicly Apologizes for Affair & More | PicsVideos. Season 3 of Brat Loves Judy Highlights Shortage of Black Sperm Gladys Knights Farewell Tour Continues This Summer in US. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); WHO WE AREThe news you want unfiltered.The Electronic Urban Report/EUR puts the most buzz worthy African American news at your fingertips. THONOTOSASSA, Fla. - It is hard to say what is more incredible, that JC Defeats was bitten in the head by an alligator and survived, or that the brutal attack was caught on camera. Merda was visiting the fish camp when he lost his way while strolling in the woods. He specializes in travel content. Taylor Lake is a five-acre freshwater lake connected to the 156-acre John S. Park via the Pinellas Trail. Increased abundance of non-native plant species. Although experts claim that fatal alligator attacks are rare, multiple related incidents have been recorded in Florida over recent months and years. Fishing, skiing, swimming, relaxing, and boating are popular activities on this recreational lake. A Warner Bros. Two alligators killed elderly woman at Florida country club, says medical examiner, Man killed by alligator while searching for Frisbee in Tampa Bay park. 'I Just Heard a Scream': Alligator Bites Florida Man on Face - Newsweek McGuinesss body had three missing limbs, and he is suspected of drowning after getting attacked by the gators.