Nature preserve closes as biologist spots detached human arm dangling from gator’s mouth
(03/11/22, 3:29 p.m.
Update: Human remains seen with gator at Florida nature preserve have been identified)
Yesterday, local sheriff’s deputies and agents with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation (FWC) in Martin County’s Hungryland Wildlife Preserve descended upon the preserve after a state biologist working in the park spotted a detached human arm dangling from the mouth of an alligator. After law enforcement arrived on the scene, they found the human arm and later discovered what appeared to be more human remains.
Following the sighting of those human body parts, the Martin County Sheriff’s Office announced that their detectives, along with FWC Officers, were actively searching a large area of the nature preserve after human remains were discovered near the gator infested canal bank about three miles inside the park.
Martin County Fire Rescue’s Dive team is currently searching the gator infested waters at Hungryland Preserve for any additional human remains after body parts were discovered near the canal bank last night. A MCSO sniper is keeping a watchful eye protecting the divers while they search. A large gator did have possession of what was located last night. The park will remained closed until investigators clear the scene. ~ MCSO
WPBF reported cadaver dogs have been searching the grounds, along with deputies on ATVs and a helicopter.
“We can’t rule out the possibility that somebody fell in the water and died of natural causes out here, but it doesn’t look like that to us,” Snyder said. “One thing we always have to take into consideration is we’re just a few miles from Palm Beach County. We have had what we call body dumps, disposing of human remains here in Martin County, that originated in Palm Beach County. That’s been going on for decades.”
The sheriff went on to say that he believes the remains are those belonging to a white male.
The preserve is used for hunting, fishing, hiking and camping, and is unguarded, allowing people access in and out, according to The Miami Herald. “We are treating this as a homicide,” Snyder said. “It’s a challenging scene because it is so overgrown.” Making the search for additional human remains is treacherous as the preserve is home to bobcats and wild hogs, in addition to a wealth of gators.
“It doesn’t matter how many alligators or what we have to encounter, we are going to figure out who this person was and if at all possible, if it was a murder — find the offender,” Snyder said. “We will do whatever it takes to figure this out.”
The Hungryland Wildlife Preserve, when open, offers ample opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, nature study, hiking, horseback riding, camping and bicycling. It comprises more than 16,600 acres in Martin and Palm Beach counties.
(Source: Martin County Sheriff’s Office)
~ Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Connect with Richard on Facebook and Twitter
