LAKELAND, Florida – Lakeland police responded to Lake Hunter following a 911 call from fishermen who reported seeing an alligator with a human body in its mouth on Tuesday morning.
Police say that the alligator swam away but that they were able to recover the body.
According to Lakeland Police spokesperson Sergeant Gary B. Gross, the body appeared to have been in the lake for more than a day and it is unknown if the person was attacked by the alligator. No identification has been made yet on the body which appears to be a male of unknown age. The body was transported to the medical examiner for a cause of death determination.
Meanwhile, a private trapper along with Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission officials remain at Lake Hunter this afternoon to attempt to catch the alligator.
Alligators are opportunistic predators with an indiscriminate appetite that includes fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and even fruit.
Photo credit: Lakeland Police Department
