huntsville state park alligator attacks

A commission spokesman said a 12-and-a-half-foot alligator that was caught and euthanized has been confirmed to have been involved in the attack. Copyright 2023, AmericasStateParks.org. Previously she was a reporter for Reuters in Central America and covered criminal justice for the San Antonio Express-News. 374. Jake Daniels/The Enterprise, Michelle Wright describes seeing the body of Tommie Woodward after he was attacked by an alligator early Friday morning. Cool. There is a lot of wild life to remind you why its nice to escape into wilderness every now and then. 1 hr. Motor boats are allowed in the lake but they are restricted to idle speed so you don't have to worry about getting swamped or run over by "speed boats". The father is being released soon, the family said, but the boy remains in hospital, the family said. Generator vs power station: Which one is right for you? You'll notice as you walk through these paths that they occasionally lead up onto raised platforms. Cave excursions and gemstone mining are two more activities available, both of which are particularly popular with younger people. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Alligator.". Do not feed or harass alligators. %PDF-1.6 % Bring a group out to enjoy the lake wildlife and create memories. walks hikes parks. His father, 42-year-old James Hurley, was also hurt when he ran into the water to save his son.The alligator bit him on the leg, but he was able to kick it until it let him go. 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These two deaths mark the first ones in 2022, but there have been several attacks in Sunday, a 13-year-old boy and his father were attacked by an alligator at Mac Pond in Chambers County's Cedar Hill Park. Born and raised in South Africa, she immigrated to Houston in 1998 and speaks Spanish and Afrikaans. We have an all-terrain wheelchair for use in the park; call us to reserve it Officer Joe Oldner is on the left. My husband, 9 friends and I spent the weekend (2 nights) in Huntsville State Park 4/26-4/28. During the week it is quiet and you feel like you almost have the park to yourself. Authorities said an alligator bit 13-year-old Kaleb Hurley on the arm and took him underwater near the bank of the pond, just off Lake Charlotte Road. Alligators have been blamed for six deaths in the state since 1957. James Kelemen, mostly obscured, is on the right, May 8, 2012. She has written on all aspects of immigration, including the tightening of asylum and mass arrests of immigrants under Trump. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. Feeding or offering food, including fish or bait, to alligators in Texas State Parks is not only dangerous, but a violation of state park rules and a Class C Moquita Q. WebColoneh Trail is a relatively short out-and-back trail in Huntsville State Park located near Huntsville, TX. %%EOF Other daytime options at the park include hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Okkerse was swimming and diving in the spring with two friends when he disappeared at around 9 a.m., officials said. County parks director Jim Couillard said his office was contacted at 11:15 a.m. Thursday by the state Department of Environmental Protection about an aggressive gator. The bald eagle and alligator both make their home within the park, so keep your eyes peeled to both land and sea for a sighting. Courtesy photo. Game officers shot the alligator believed responsible for the killing after three tourists and their boat driver spotted the reptile underwater with Cummings body. Entrance prices change by age, and annual passes are available to enjoy the park year-round. The name Monte Sano means Mountain of Health in Spanish as it offers fresh air and mineral springs. Montgomery County deputy constables arrested a Splendora resident June 25, 2013, on marijuana charges but got a surprise while searching his property. Eugene Mora was fishing on Calaveras Lake on May 23, 2016 when he spotted an eight-to-nine-foot alligator swimming about 30 yards from the bank. It will be relocated. Tommie Woodward, 28, was attacked and killed by an alligator while swimming in Adams Bayou at Burkart's Marina early Friday morning. The incident was the first fatal attack by an alligator in Texas in about 200 years. The entrance fee is $5 a day so consider getting an annual park pass (for all state parks) for $70. Police were dispatched at about 2:30 a.m., and the Orange County Sheriff's Department and a game warden from Texas Parks and Wildlife searched the area with a boat. Beautiful place to get into nature while still having all the creature comforts (hot water Park officials said there is no danger of attack in the designated swimming area. If you do not enjoy running, the trails are open for walking, or you could spend days exploring the allowable parts of the caves and relaxing with the bats. It was a quite camping area of the park except for the million frogs at night and birds in the morning. No previous alligator attacks have been reported at the 50-year-old park, where several Tarzan movies and The Creature from the Black Lagoon were filmed, Goodson said. Canoes and paddle boats can be rented by the hour. The incident was the first fatal attack by an alligator in Texas in about 200 years. The campsites are large, but I'd try one of the sites between 80 and 100. Over 250 bird species have been spotted, as well, so maybe bring those binoculars along, too! The only documented fatal attack comes from a single written account of an 1836 incident near the mouth of the Trinity in which an alligator attacked and killed a man swimming across the bayou. James Okkerse went missing in Blue Spring State Park just before 9 a.m. Monday and his body was found that afternoon, NBC affiliate WESH reported. The animal that greeted Neil Griffin on May 1 as he guided his kayak around a bend in the Guadalupe River looked more at home on a lazy Gulf Coast bayou than a rushing Hill County river. lake, park, Texas, Alligators. There is a nice boat launch on the west side of the park.We have always found the restrooms to be well maintained during our visits. In the wake of the tragedy, people are asking what risk alligators really pose. In 2013, shocking news came out about a Florida couple who killed a 13-foot gator while hunting in Lake George. You can experience them on foot, bike or horseback. The name Monte Sano means Mountain of Health in Spanish as it offers fresh air and mineral springs. "Please be sure to research the areas you are visiting thoroughly, especially if they have alligators or other wildlife.". Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. (Photo courtesy of Kerry Esmond). 2023 Wag Labs, Inc. All rights reserved. Over the past two years, refurbishments have brought a set of 10 picnic pavilions to the shoreline. 2-year-old Lane Graves was killed by an alligator at a Disney Resort June 14. An alligator attacked 13-year-old Kaleb Hurley on the arm and took him underwater near the bank of the pond. "He went under one time, then he hollered at her to get out of the water," Burkhart said. This was done to help ensure the safety of the diverse wildlife that covers these lands, while also giving the public some great viewing platforms to observe from. Visitors can also enjoy camping in rustic sites with incredible nature views. WebLength 6.5 miElevation gain 341 ftRoute type Point to point. My in-laws have a motorhome and there is plenty of room for that plus a trailer and 2-3 more vehicles. But on weekends/holidays that place is packed ( esp. Sitting on a gigantic 2083.2-acre piece of land, Huntsville State Park began its life in 1938 after being purchased from several private owners. Griffins sighting of an American alligator on the Guadalupe near Spring Branch is not unheard of, said Andrew Gluesenkamp, a Texas Parks and Wildlife scientists who studies reptiles and amphibians. A Sienna Plantation resident found this 8-foot alligator Memorial Day, 2013, on her front porch. Police would then coordinate with the state about the alligators removal. I camp in a tent with as little gear as possible, so I don't like bringing in a folding chair.The trail was great. Those who prefer RV or tent camping can use one of the 116 campsites available, many of which provide full water, electricity, and sewage hookups. Here is a map of the Alabama parks covered in this post: Here are each of those state parks with distance from Huntsville and what is special about each. You can see the devastation the droughts of the past few years have caused, but it's still a great trail. All occurred in the South, where alligators are endemic to wetlands and tidal marshes. The dog parks hours differ from the main park itself, only being open from 10 AM to 6 PM, Monday through Saturday. Then, after a long day of golfing or swimming in the Tennessee River or Wheeler Lake, both converge with many lakeside homes and cabins for rent. 106 followers. The duo nicknamed the animals "Chubs," after the golf coach in "Happy Gilmore.". The incident was the first fatal attack by an alligator in Texas in about 200 years. The officer shown is Officer Joe Oldner, May 8, 2012. Alligators live in the park; read our alligator safety tips. Huntsville State Park is in Sam Houston National Forest and part of the Piney Woods area of East Texas. Recently, the park went through some electrical upgrades in the campground, making it more functional for guests. The guide said, It looks like he just caught his lunch. All rights reserved. 0 Location: 1155 Lodge Dr, Guntersville, AL 35976. A keen eye may spot an American alligator or bald eagle. Lake Raven is a small man made lake and the camping areas of the park wrap around the lake. Whether youre shopping Way Day 2023 or Walmart, theres an al fresco set for you. I know my wife was a bit startled the first time we kayaked together here and encountered a gator within 30 seconds of launching. Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. read more. We get a couple of the spots on the water side, 12, 14 and 15 are the ones we try for if available. lake, park, Texas, Alligators. The reptile was released into the water. Season Dates Max reservation window: Sat Apr 27 2024 Later Dates Alerts and Important Information The state of Florida, where most attacks and deaths occur, began keeping records of alligator attacks in 1948. Conroe police on Tuesday removed this 7-foot, 7-inch alligator from a back yard in the Silverstone subdivision. For non-emergency requests, please call HPD at 256-722-7100. Or you can stay in the parks cabins with all the amenities, so you do not need to choose between your lifestyle and nature. Explore We have 37 miles of trails, some of which are wheelchair-friendly. endstream endobj startxref Lake Jesup, Florida Although alligator attacks are rare, Lake Jesup is the most alligator-infested lake in the United States. Location: 393 Co Rd 174, Grove Oak, AL 35975. Photo taken Friday 7/3/15 If an alligator poses a threat, residents should call Huntsville Police, which will coordinate removal with state wildlife officials. American alligator (baby) American alligator. We saw several more alligators in the water when we rented canoes and paddle boats. A baby alligator was spotted at Dowitcher Pond at Estero Llano Grande State Park March 26, 2017. We usually stay in the Raven Hill camping area. On the lake. Always try to go at least once a month. Whats more surprising is that it wasnt even the largest gator caught in Florida that year. Photo taken Friday 7/3/15 After a hard day of play, settle into the resort for a nice meal and a warm place to sleep. Bradley Durrett told Chron.com that he encountered a massive alligator on Country Club Drive in the Green Tee Terrace Neighborhood in Pearland on April 14, 2018. Walker County voters approved the sale of $20,000 in bonds to buy the land, and then donated it to the State Parks Board. Alligator attacks are rare, experts say, and none have been reported in Huntsville. Witnesses told NBC station WESH that a 12-foot alligator was spotted in the area where Okkerse disappeared. Scott Engle / Montgomery County Police Reporter, Kurt Johnson Jr. and Kerry Esmond, with rifle, watch and wait for an alligator they had previously hooked with a line at Richmond's Brazos Lakes, Sept. 18, 2013. TRAIL BIG CREEK LOOP DISTANCE 1.7 mi. "This has been such a traumatic experience, to say the least, and we hope no one else out there ever has to go through what we have been through these past several days," the family said in a statement. Luckily although there have been some significant tree losses here due to drought it is has not been hit as hard as some others (Livingston State Park for example) and the tree canopy is still pretty heavy.Living in the Houston area since 1976, I have been to Huntsville State Park a number of times over the years. They seemed a bit larger and, more importantly, the fire rings were closer to the picnic table. Gus the gator was illegally caught by some people kayaking near the Guadalupe River in Spring Branch in 2015, but he's now got a new home at the Animal World and Snake Farm Zoo. The incident was the first fatal attack by an alligator in Texas in about 200 years. Newsome released the gator in a swamp on his New Caney ranch.