Officials believe they’ve captured alligator that killed boy

Florida wildlife officials say they are sure that the alligator that killed a 2-year-old outside of a Disney resort has been captured.

In total, FWC humanely removed six alligators from the immediate area of the attack. They based their conclusion on expert analysis and observations by their staffers who have extensive experience in gator bite investigations.

The search for Lane began the evening of June 14 after the boy was snatched by an alligator while standing with his feet in the lagoon’s waters. Three of which were in the size believed to fit the one that attacked the boy, two of which were near the incident location.

“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 in a release.

Lane’s body was recovered the afternoon of June 15 by sheriff’s office divers. Disney has since installed signs by the lagoon warning guests of alligators and snakes. Based on past experience, an alligator usually stays close to the site of an attack.

No additional alligators of the size capable of the attack have been observed or taken since June 16.

A 58-year-old man suffered injuries to his right leg during the terrifying incident in the city of Bushnell, about 45 miles from where Lane Graves was attacked and drowned by the gator as he paddled on the shore of the five-star Grand Floridian Resort and Spa in Orlando, Florida, last week.

“FWC works diligently to keep Floridians and our visitors safe and informed on what to do if they spot a potentially unsafe alligator”, the statement said. This area is poor alligator habitat that will not support a large population of adult alligators.

The statement said experts attempted bite wound analysis and DNA testing to determine which alligator may have been the actual attacker. Results from Lane’s were negative for animal DNA, FWC said.