13-Foot Alligator DNA Confirms Link to Fatal Florida River Attack

Genetic evidence has definitively linked a massive 13-foot alligator to the tragic death of a Florida woman, Brittany Clark, who was attacked while swimming in the Econlockhatchee River last month. Officials with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced the confirmation following laboratory testing that matched Clark’s DNA to the reptile captured shortly after the fatal incident.

Tragic Attack on the Econlockhatchee River

The attack occurred on June 28 near the Barr Street Trailhead in the Little Big Econ State Forest. Clark, a 31-year-old Orlando resident, was reportedly swimming in shoulder-deep water with her boyfriend, Chance Allison, and another friend when the alligator seized her arm. According to a preliminary report from the Orange County Medical Examiner’s Office, the alligator initiated what investigators described as a “death roll,” a violent spinning motion used by the reptile to subdue or dismember its prey.

Allison bravely attempted to intervene, grabbing at the alligator in an effort to free Clark. The struggle pulled both individuals underwater. Although the alligator briefly released Clark, it re-attacked, grabbing her other arm before eventually letting go. Allison managed to pull Clark to shore and immediately called for emergency services. Despite being transported to a hospital under trauma alert, Clark succumbed to her injuries en route.

The Investigation and DNA Confirmation

In the aftermath of the attack, FWC trappers located and killed two large alligators in the vicinity: one measuring 12.5 feet and another, the confirmed culprit, measuring 13 feet. Both animals were subjected to DNA analysis. The FWC confirmed that genetic material from Brittany Clark was a match to the 13-foot alligator. Furthermore, bite marks observed on Clark’s arm were found to be consistent with the front row teeth of this specific alligator.

The FWC stated that its investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack is ongoing. While the agency is not speculating on the exact cause, it noted that alligator mating season, typically from April through June, can lead to increased territorial behavior among the animals.

Understanding the “Death Roll”

The “death roll” is a well-documented predatory behavior in alligators and crocodiles. As explained by the National Institute of Health, when an alligator bites down on prey, it spins its body rapidly in the water. This action serves to disorient and overpower the victim, and also helps the alligator to tear off pieces of flesh or dismember larger animals, making them easier to consume.

Alligator Encounters in Florida: Rarity and Safety

Despite the presence of alligators in freshwater bodies throughout Florida’s 67 counties, serious alligator attacks remain infrequent. The FWC emphasizes the importance of coexisting safely with these native reptiles and offers several recommendations for the public:

• Maintain a Safe Distance: Always observe alligators from a secure distance and avoid approaching them.
• Supervise Pets: Keep pets on a leash and away from the water’s edge. Animals like dogs can be mistaken for natural prey by alligators.
• Designated Swimming Areas: Swim only in designated areas, preferably during daylight hours, and never with pets. Alligators are most active at dawn and dusk.
• Never Feed Alligators: Feeding alligators is illegal and extremely dangerous. It habituates them to human presence and can lead them to associate people with food, potentially turning them into nuisance animals that require removal.

Individuals who encounter an alligator they believe poses a threat or is acting unusually are encouraged to contact the FWC’s Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR.