An Everglades airboat captain was rushed to the hospital after his hand was bitten off by an alligator Tuesday afternoon, officials said.
The captain, who has not been identified by authorities, was leading a tour in the Everglades when the incident happened. The captain was able to drive himself back to the dock to ask for help, authorities said.
Witnesses said the captain was feeding the alligator just before the incident during a tour. The alligator then jumped and bit off his left hand, they said.
Officials from Florida Fish and Wildlife told WPTV they tracked the alligator and retrieved the man’s hand from its stomach. The alligator was later euthanized, according to authorities.
The man’s hand was taken to the hospital where surgeons could not reattach it.
Because it is illegal to feed gator,s the commission is investigating the incident as a criminal act and the captain could face charges.
