Alligator injures girl swimming in popular summer state park destination

A North Carolina girl was injured last weekend after coming in contact with an alligator while she and a group of other children were swimming in Lake Waccamaw, located about an hour east of Wilmington.

The Lake Waccamaw Police Department announced the incident on Friday, June 13, saying multiple children were playing in about four feet of water when the 12-year-old victim yelled, "Something bit me!"

The children were "rushed out of the water," at which point an alligator surfaced in the shallow water, police said.

"The injuries sustained were serious but not life-threatening in any way," the police department said. "It is also unclear as to if the injuries were caused by a bite or a claw. But they were definitely caused by the alligator."

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The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) also responded to the incident and told Fox News Digital in a statement that the 12-foot male alligator made contact with the victim, "resulting in a laceration and scratches on her legs."

"The evidence suggests this was not a predatory attack. Regardless, this alligator’s contact with a human resulted in an injury requiring medical attention," the NCWRC said. 

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The commission continued, "In the process of investigating the incident residents suggested that alligators are being observed more frequently in the lake during daylight hours. As such, the NCWRC asked to be notified of large alligators that are spending time around a pier or in the lake in daylight hours. Also, any alligator that regularly approaches people or is exhibiting a general lack of fear or aggressive behavior."

Police said the alligator involved in the incident was euthanized. The NCWRC's protocol is to euthanize an alligator any time it makes contact with a person.

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"We remind our residents and visitors to remain ever vigilant and aware of their surroundings. In this particular case, the gator was never seen till after the incident occurred, and multiple adults were present," the police department said. "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."

The NCWRC noted that incidents involving contact between people and alligators are "extremely rare" in the Tar Heel State and described the alligator's behavior in the Lake Waccamaw incident as "unusual" but "not predatory in nature."