A 31-year-old woman died from an alligator attack while swimming in just three feet of water at a Florida state forest, prompting officials to capture two massive reptiles measuring 12 and 13 feet long as authorities work to identify which animal was responsible for the fatal encounter.

Deputy Races to Save Victim

Brittany Clark was hiking with her boyfriend and friends at the Little Big Econ State Forest in Geneva on June 28 when the group decided to cool off with a swim. The alligator bit both of Clark’s arms in the shallow water. Newly released body camera footage from the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office shows a deputy sprinting through the woods and immediately deploying a tourniquet after finding Clark under a blue tent where friends were desperately trying to save her life.

The 911 call captured urgent pleas for help as crying and wailing filled the background while the emergency operator worked to pinpoint the exact location at the Barr Street Trailhead. Despite rapid response from first responders who transported Clark as a trauma alert to a nearby hospital, she died from her injuries. The sheriff’s office redacted the remainder of the body camera footage after the deputy began applying emergency aid.

Two Massive Alligators Captured

Wildlife officials used aerial tactics to locate and capture two exceptionally large alligators from the attack area. The 13-foot alligator was found directly at the incident scene, while the 12-foot reptile was discovered nearby. Based on witness descriptions of a very large alligator involved in the attack, officials believe one of these two animals was responsible. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission transported both reptiles to their laboratory in Gainesville for analysis to determine which was involved in Clark’s death.

Territorial Behavior During Mating Season

Chad Weber, a Public Information Officer for Florida Fish and Wildlife, explained that alligators can become extremely territorial as their mating season approaches its end, though he stopped short of specifying what triggered this particular attack. The incident serves as a stark reminder that even shallow water in Florida’s natural areas can pose serious dangers. State forests and waterways throughout Florida are home to an estimated 1.3 million alligators, making wildlife awareness critical for residents and visitors enjoying outdoor recreational activities in these habitats.