Fisherman killed at Lake Apopka

Steven Hamilton, seventy one, of Winter Garden was standing on the shoreline of Lake Apopka at Dr.

Rescue complicated by other alligators

The presence of other active alligators in the water complicated any chance of rescuing Hamilton. His body was recovered around two hours later, Winter Garden Fire Chief Jose Gainza told FOX thirty five.

Second fatal attack this year

Hamilton's death marked the second deadly alligator attack in Florida in twenty twenty six. In June, a thirty one year old Oviedo woman, Brittany Clark, was killed by a thirteen foot alligator near her home.

Calls to reconsider alligator protections

After Clark's death, Republican U.S.Rep.Greg Steube introduced a resolution calling for study of the alligator's threatened listing.

“the species has been fully recovered since 1987”

Thirty four deaths since nineteen forty eight

Using Florida state data, the two twenty twenty six deaths bring the total number of individuals killed by alligators since nineteen forty eight to thirty four.