A woman swimming in the Silver River in Marion County, Florida, was bitten on the arm by an alligator on Saturday, August 8th, 2026, according to local reports citing Marion County authorities.

Paddleboarder Mike Head, who was with his family nearby, heard two women yelling “Gator!” and saw the alligator approaching the swimmer. Head described the alligator's movement as “almost like a missile” and estimated it was 20 to 30 feet away as it went toward the woman.

With the alligator’s jaws locked on the woman’s arm, Head used his paddle to try to drive it away. He carefully positioned himself to avoid hitting the woman’s head and to maintain balance. Another boater then assisted Head in bringing the woman safely to shore, Fox 35 reported.

This incident follows several alligator attacks in Florida this summer, including one in Seminole County’s Little Big Econ State Forest, where 31-year-old Brittany Clark was attacked while swimming with her boyfriend.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), alligators have long inhabited Florida’s wetlands, rivers, and lakes and are found in all 67 counties across the state.

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