Wildlife officials 'confident' gator that killed Lane Graves is dead
Alligator trapping will no longer take place in the Seven Seas Lagoon, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
FWC captured and killed at six alligators at the Disney resort after Lane Graves, a 2-year-old boy from Nebraska, was snatched by a gator June 14.
The boy and his family were along the shoreline of the beach at the Seven Seas Lagoon.
FWC said it was "confident" that the alligator responsible for the attack has been removed. This conclusion is based on expert analysis and observations by staff with extensive experience in investigating fatal alligator bite incidents. It took into account the proximity to the attack site of removed alligators and witness descriptions, FWC officials said.
“There are no words to describe the profound sadness we feel for the family of Lane Graves,” said Nick Wiley, executive director of the FWC. “We will continue to keep this family close to our hearts as they deal with the pain and grief of the loss of Lane.”
Graves was laid to rest on Tuesday.
Last week, Disney installed fences along all its beaches and put up signs that warned alligators could be in the water.
Here is what FWC concluded during its investigation:
- FWC Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program trappers captured three alligators in the size-range believed to fit the subject animal.
- Two of the animals captured were in close proximity to the incident location. Based on past experience, the alligator responsible is usually located in close proximity to the attack site.
- Round-the-clock monitoring and trapping efforts have not produced alligators of the size capable of the attack since June 16.
- In total, FWC humanely removed six alligators from the immediate area of the attack. This area is poor alligator habitat that will not support a large population of adult alligators.
- FWC subject matter experts are very confident that, based on the totality of the evidence, the alligator responsible for the attack has been removed.
- While results of a bite analysis were inconclusive, subject matter experts were able to conclude that either of the two suspect alligators captured near the attack site were capable of inflicting the observed wounds.
- DNA was collected from the victim and all alligators captured. Results from the victim's wounds were negative for animal DNA, and no comparison could be made.
