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A Central Florida conservation area is temporarily closed amid the search for an alligator that attacked a cow this week.

Lake County officials say an alligator on Monday attempted to drag a cow into nearby water in the Pine Meadows Conservation Area, located just under an hour north of downtown Orlando.

The cow was left in critical condition after the attack, and law enforcement deemed it necessary to humanely euthanize the animal due to the severity of its injuries. An unharmed calf was also found nearby and relocated to the Lake County Animal Shelter.

Florida Fish and Wildlife’s attempts to find the alligator have been unsuccessful so far, but officials have set up traps to continue the search throughout the week. The park will remain closed until the alligator is located and removed. Pine Meadows Conservation will announce when it reopens. 

Alligator mating season begins in April with courtship, followed by peak mating season in May and June. It’s not uncommon during this time for alligators to be especially active or found in places they shouldn’t be.

Officials advise caution during these months, and suggest swimming only in designated swimming areas, keeping pets on a leash when near shorelines and avoiding feeding or interacting with alligators.

People with concerns about an alligator in their area should call the Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-Gator (866-392-4286). A nuisance alligator generally refers to an alligator that is 4 feet in length, poses a threat, or is somewhere it shouldn’t be, such as a swimming pool, home, garage, etc.

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