Alligator warning: Gators spotted on trail at popular Blue Run of Dunnellon Park

DUNNELLON — Dunnellon police officials are warning people to be aware of roaming alligators on a trail at Blue Run of Dunnellon Park, 19680 E. Pennsylvania Ave., along the Rainbow River.

At a special Dunnellon City Council meeting Wednesday afternoon – attended by council members, staff and members of the public – Lt. Shane Yox gave a presentation about large alligators seen on and around the trail.

Yox said on June 7, a woman reported seeing one reptile believed to be about 12 feet long on the bank.

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Since then, others have told city officials that they've spotted alligators either crossing the trail or roaming in and around the park.

There's a narrow, unpaved walking/nature trail that borders a pond that connects the park to a parking lot, officials said.

With the increased frequency of the alligators, which appear to be willing to approach humans, Police Chief Mike McQuaig has ordered signs to be erected by the trail. The signs note that carrying tubes, kayaks, or any other large or bulky items is not allowed on the trail.

The reason: So those walking along the trail can be mindful of their surroundings and watch for any alligators that could be lurking nearby.

Also, no one younger than 18 is allowed to walk the trail by themselves, police officials said.

4 captured alligators

Yox said so far there have been no attacks. He said a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission trapper captured four alligators from June 12-20. Two measured 7 feet long, and the others were 5 feet and 6 feet long.

The officer said the trapper has seen, but not yet captured, an alligator that is about 9 feet long.

Yox told the audience not to feed the alligators. They also should watch where they walk, follow directions, obey the posted signs, keep an eye on pets, and refrain from swimming at night.

Yox said alligators mating season is May through June, and gators are aggressive during that time.

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Past alligator attacks

Yox said Dunnellon has had a few close calls in the past.

In 2016 police received a complaint about an aggressive alligator. That gator, which measured about 8 feet long, was caught. He said KP Hole was closed for four days.

In 2002, a Dunnellon man and his dog would swim from the Marion County line to the Citrus County line. During one swim, the officer said, an alligator came at the man. He made it to the Marion County line and called for help after he was bitten in the head.

There have been other alligator attacks in Marion County.

In 2006, an 11-foot-5 inch alligator was killed by a trapper after it was believed to be the reptile that killed a 23-year-old woman snorkeling in Juniper Creek.

Four years later, an 11-foot-3 inch alligator was neutralized in Silver Springs when it bit a researcher who was snorkeling.

Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com.

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Close calls with alligators worry officials in Dunnellon, Florida