Gator bites North Fort Myers man fishing

A man was fishing in his backyard in North Fort Myers when he was bitten by an alligator on June 26.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, it received a report of the incident on Monday, and the victim was taken to the hospital by his family.

The victim, James Grayson McMicken, 71, told Gulf Coast News the attack happened by a lake he fishes at behind his apartment on West Lakeview Boulevard. He said he used to legally hunt alligators and used a fishing pole to get it to stop.

Wildlife officials said their officers and a contracted nuisance alligator trapper responded to the scene after receiving the report of the incident, and trapping efforts are underway.

The investigation remains ongoing.

The FWC said it administers a Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (SNAP) to address complaints concerning specific alligators that may pose a threat to people, pets or property. People with concerns about an alligator can call FWC’s Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286). When someone concerned about an alligator calls the Nuisance Alligator Hotline, FWC said it will dispatch one of its contracted nuisance alligator trappers.

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