This news story about a crocodile attack at Flamingo in Everglades National Park is based on a March 11, 2024, National Park Service press release. You can read the original release here.
Everglades National Park in south Florida is one of the best parks to observe a variety of animals in their natural habitat. From innumerable bird species to manatees, alligators, and crocodiles, it’s a wildlife haven.
That said, though, and as safe as visiting the Everglades typically is, there’s always a risk of something going wrong, as a recent incident at the Flamingo Marina clearly shows.
According to a statement by the National Park Service, “[o]n March 10, at approximately 16:43 hours, National Park Service rangers responded to the Flamingo Marina in Everglades National Park in response to an apparent crocodile bite.”
Park Rangers Respond to Crocodile Attack at Flamingo in Everglades National Park
A 68-year-old male reportedly capsized his recreational sailboat in the marina basin and was attempting to swim to shore with his boat when he was observed going under water.
Park rangers in the area responded immediately to the report and treated the man for a laceration on his leg. They coordinated with Miami Dade Fire and Rescue to transport the patient to the hospital. The patient was stable upon transfer to EMS providers.
Rangers and park biologists are continuing to investigate the incident and monitor the suspected crocodile, which is easily identifiable.
The American crocodile is a federally threatened species which closely resembles the American alligator.
The National Park Service is coordinating closely with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to evaluate the situation and follow the American Crocodile-Human Interaction Response Plan.
While the park is a safe place to visit, we remind visitors to stay alert and exercise caution, especially around wildlife. Swimming or wading is prohibited in all canals, ponds, freshwater lakes, marked channels and boat basins in Everglades National Park.
Crocodiles in Everglades National Park
Everglades National Park is unique in many ways, one of them being that it’s the only place in the world where alligators and crocodiles live side by side.
Watching wildlife in the Everglades is considered quite safe, provided that you observe some general safety guidelines.
“Although the aggressive reputation earned by the American crocodile’s distant, larger, man-eating cousins in Australia and Africa may inspire fear of crocodiles inhabiting the Everglades, conflict with humans rarely occurs because of the shy nature of American crocodiles,” the National Park Service reassures visitors.
The recent crocodile attack incident in Everglades National Park is rare in the sense that the man entered the murky water of Flamingo Marina after his boat capsized and tried to swim to shore.
This unusual commotion likely drew the attention of the crocodile. By all accounts, this was a situation that the vast majority of visitors to Everglades National Park will never find themselves in.
Although there’s no need to be terrified of Everglades crocodiles, it is still important to exercise caution. Especially near coastlines, mangrove forests, and brackish water, you should be alert.
Stay at least 15 to 20 feet away from the water’s edge and from any crocodile you see. Also remember that swimming, wading, snorkeling, and diving is prohibited everywhere in the park.
You can learn more about alligators and crocodiles in the Everglades here.
More About Everglades National Park
- Park Website
- Where to See Wildlife in Everglades National Park
- Famous Birds of the Everglades
- Best Things to Do in Flamingo
- Best Things to Do in Shark Valley
- Top Sights on the Everglades Main Park Road
- Best Everglades Bike Trails