Florida Rocked By Gator Attacks!

(ITV)

Three fatal alligator attacks have spread fear in the US state of Florida.

The first victim was a jogger whose body was found in a canal on the Sunshine State's Atlantic Coast, the second was snorkelling in a recreation area near Lake George in central Florida and the third was found in a canal about 20 miles north of St. Petersburg on Gulf Coast.

Trapper Todd Hardwick said he was not surprised alligators were coming out because it was the breeding season and recent dry, hot weather was causing alligators to head closer to populated areas in search of food and habitat.

He rejected calls for more alligator hunting, saying the problem was caused by the destruction of their habitat.

He said: "We can't just keep developing wetlands for homes and shopping centres and then wonder why we are up to our ears in alligators."

Before the most recent attacks, only 17 alligator-related deaths had been recorded in Florida since 1948, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.