MARION COUNTY, Fla. — The man who was bitten in the head Tuesday by a giant alligator was listed in good condition Wednesday. He was attacked while doing research in the water near Silver Springs Nature Park in Marion County.
SEE IMAGES: 11-Foot Gator Captured After Attacking Man 911 CALL: Friend Calls To Report Gator Attack
The alligator was captured and killed, and the park was open again Wednesday. They even went ahead with the gator feeding they do every afternoon. But park officials insist the attack happened just off property, in the back where they work on boats.
"Oh, that's a big alligator. That's a big alligator. He's very lucky," a caller to 911 reported (hear call). "The animal is out in the water, right where it happened."
Peter Butt's friend and co-worker wasn't exaggerating when he called 911 right after an 11-foot alligator bit the 55-year-old environmental contractor on his head and neck.
"There was apparently an alligator hiding underneath the recesses under the dock," the caller told the 911 dispatcher. "And, when he got in the water, the thing came out and nailed him in the neck."
Rescue officials say Butt, 55, was diving to check water-monitoring equipment for the St. John's River Water Management District Tuesday afternoon. It happened in the Fort King waterway of the Silver River, next to the Silver Springs theme park, known for its glass bottom boat tours and even its own gator lagoon.
But park officials say the attack happened off property and away from guests.
"He was out looking at this little spring and this gator came and attacked him," Butt's friend told 911. "He's got some, he's got some slashes and cuts."
Fish and Wildlife officials said the gator seemed unafraid of people and stayed in the area for two hours before it was captured. The alligator was killed, which is standard practice for "nuisance gators."
Despite being flown to Shands Hospital in Gainesville, officials there say Butt is now in remarkably good condition. In a statement through the hospital, Butt thanked the rescue crews who came to his aid.
Investigators said there was talk the gator was one park workers were familiar with and had nicknamed Floyd. They've now ruled that out and said Floyd is actually even bigger.
So far in 2010, alligators have bitten five people. Three of those were unprovoked, including Tuesday's attack. But the state has only recorded a little more than 500 bites dating back to 1948. Twenty-two of those were deadly, the most recent being three years ago.
Previous Stories: June 23, 2010: 11-Foot Gator Attacks Man At Silver Springs
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