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A GIRL has been attacked by a massive alligator while she played in the lake with her friends.
The children raced from the shallow waters to shore while screaming after the 12-year-old girl yelled out, “Something bit me!”
A giant alligator surfaced during the chaos at Lake Waccamaw in North Carolina on Friday evening, police said.
The Lake Waccamaw Police Department initially estimated the alligator that surfaced was six to seven feet long.
However, wildlife officials later identified the beast as a 12-foot-long male alligator.
The girl was left with about six stitches and multiple scratches on her leg but is otherwise fine, according to NBC affiliate WECT.
“It is unclear as to if the injuries were caused by a bite, or a claw. But they were definitely caused by the alligator,” LWPD said.
Authorities quickly captured and euthanized the gator, per protocol.
Wild photos showed North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission officers tying up the massive animal before it was killed.
The alligator was acting unusually by being in the lake around people, according to NCWRC alligator biologist Alicia Wassmer.
“They very rarely get in the lake, especially during the daytime,” Wassmer told WECT.
She said there are roughly 600 alligators in the area and that they typically prefer murkier canal waters to the lake.
However, Wassmer said the alligator was behaving as one typically does when it’s fed.
Feeding alligators can encourage them to return to people-filled places like swimming spots.
“It can create issues like this down the road,” Wassmer said.
“Not necessarily for the person who’s feeding the alligator, but for other people.”
For that reason, feeding alligators is a felony in North Carolina that could land you with a $500 fine or even jail time.
Lake Waccamaw Police Department’s statement
Police issued the following statement after a 12-year-old girl was attacked by an alligator in a North Carolina lake on June 13:
Earlier this evening, an incident took place involving an alligator and a young child. Several children were playing in approximately four feet of water when one suddenly shouted, “something bit me!” The children were immediately pulled out of the water, and shortly after, a 6′-7′ alligator emerged at the exact spot where they had been swimming.
The injuries the child sustained were severe but not life-threatening. It remains uncertain whether a bite or claw caused these injuries, but it is confirmed that the alligator was responsible.
The alligator responsible for this incident has been neutralized.
NC Wildlife Resources Commission is on point with this situation and are doing an excellent job.
We urge both locals and visitors to stay constantly aware of their surroundings. In this situation, the alligator was not seen until the incident had already transpired, despite the presence of several adults.
Please respect the water and understand these animals are not tame or pets. If you see one, maintain a safe distance at all times. And exit the water if you are in it.
Thank you.
Source: Lake Waccamaw Police Department
Wassmer also warned against accidentally feeding alligators by dumping fishing bait or food scraps off docks or piers.
“Throwing fish scraps into the water or unused fish bait, especially at places like boat ramps,” Wassmet said.
“So, we discourage that as well as feeding other wildlife in the water.”
It’s unclear if the alligator was fed before it attacked the girl. NCWRC hasn’t returned The U.S. Sun’s request for comment.
Lake Waccamaw Mayor Matt Wilson said it’s important for people to stay aware of their surroundings in the water as summer begins.
“People are coming in, tourists are coming in, we need to educate people,” Wilson told WECT.
“Be mindful of your surroundings, do not feed the alligators, do not dump your table scraps from supper from the night before in the lake.”
Officials added that alligator attacks are very rare in the area.
The girl’s close call came just weeks after a horrifying alligator attack where a 61-year-old woman was dragged out of a canoe and killed.
