Alligator attacks
In June 2016, news of a fatal alligator attack on a 2-year-old boy spurred not only a search for the animal, but also increased interest in the phenomenon of gator attacks.
Experts say gator attacks on humans are rare. But that doesn't mean they don't happen.
10-year-old girl survives alligator bite
An alligator bit a 10-year-old girl on her knee and calf as she sat in shallow water in a lake at a Florida park in May 2017.
The girl was able to pry the alligator's mouth open and suffered puncture wounds, but they weren't life-threatening.
Alligator trapped
The girl's family took her to a hospital for treatment, and authorities captured and killed the alligator, according to CBS affiliate WKMG-TV in Orlando.
49-year-old woman attacked
According to a local fire rescue spokesman, on August 12, 2016 a 49-year-old woman's hand was almost full amputated when she dropped a can in the water in the Everglades, Florida, reached down to get it and was attacked by an alligator. She suffered significant blood loss, he said, and was flown to a nearby hospital where she was in critical condition.
2-year-old boy attacked
In June 2016, 2-year-old Lane Graves was playing at Disney's Seven Seas Lagoon in Orlando when an alligator dragged him into the water. His body was discovered the following day. An autopsy confirmed Graves died of traumatic injuries and drowning.
Police hunt for alligator
After the boy's body was found, a search was launched for the alligator that attacked him. At least five alligators were wrangled in the process.
Alligator caught
About a week after the attack, officials announced that they'd caught the alligator responsible for the attack.
58-year-old man attacked
In June 2016, a 58-year-old Ocala, Florida resident noticed his horses were restless and was bitten by an alligator upon going to investigate.
Man airlifted to hospital
The man survived but suffered injuries to his right leg and was airlifted to Ocala Regional Medical Center. The Florida Wildlife Commission euthanized the gator.
Gator found chewing on dead body
In June 2016, a 9-foot alligator was found with a human body in its mouth near a Florida lake. The body was identified as 72-year-old Richard Zachary Taylor.
Remains found in alligator's stomach
Local detectives were unsure whether Taylor drowned or was killed by the gator. Taylor's remains were found inside the alligator during an autopsy.
Another gator chews on body
In May 2016, two fisherman found alligators eating a man's body in South Florida. Police reached out to the public for help identifying the body, believing the man had been dead before the gators found him.
Burglar's body found
In November 2015, 22-year-old Matthew Riggins told his girlfriend he'd be out committing burglaries in Brevard County, Fla.
Ten days later, his body was found in a lake, with injuries consistent with an alligator attack.
Gator euthanized
The alligator was trapped and euthanized, with human remains similar to Riggins' injuries found in its body.
Snorkeler goes missing
In October 2015, the body of 62-year-old James Okkerse was found floating in Blue Springs State Park. He'd been snorkeling with friends but got separated. Divers found his body the day he was reported missing.
Alligator later shot
Okkerse's injuries were consistent with an alligator attack. A 12-foot alligator was spotted in the park around that time and shot following Okkerse's death.
Texas man attacked in bayou
In July 2015, 28-year-old Tommie Woodward was killed by an alligator swimming in a Texas bayou where locals had been warned of alligators. He was attacked upon jumping into the water for a swim.
Body found hours later
Woodward's body was found hours later, approximately 200 years from where he had jumped in. Several days later a large alligator was shot and killed in the area.
Boy survives attack
In April 2013, 6-year-old Joey Welch fell into the waters of Boynton Beach in Florida, an alligator pulling him in.
His father and other bystanders fought the animal and freed the child. Welch was later treated for cuts and bruises. Days later, the alligator was killed by trappers.
24 attacks on humans since 1948
There are an estimated 1.3 million alligators in Florida, according to the Smithsonian National Zoological Park. Since the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission began keeping track in 1948, the state has seen 24 fatal attacks on humans.
More alligators, more attacks
It is unclear why the number of alligator attacks have seemingly risen in the Southeast lately. One theory suggests that as both the human and alligator populations have grown, so has the likelihood of attacks.