It's been almost two weeks since Eddie Evans, the community landscape contractor for the Walden Lake community, was attacked by an alligator.
Evans was trimming bushes along the water in Walden Lake Park on Wednesday, April 6, when a 12-foot gator got ahold of his boot, dragging Evans into the water. Evans used his keys to hit the alligator on the head and escape.
Though a trapper with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Conservation Commission has been out to the area every other day, the gator has not yet been caught.
The Walden Lake Community Association's Board of Directors has urged residents to use caution in the area, especially if they have small children or pets. The WLCA advises against feeding the wildlife.
"As far as we know, right now he's staying in this lake," former WLCA President Bob Hunter said at the community's annual meeting. "The gator trapper is out there trying to catch him in different locations."
This past week, the WLCA ordered 20 "beware of alligator" signs to be placed around Walden Lake. So far, 12 have been installed, including some at the water's edge.
The trapper has noticed a few other gators in the area, ranging from four to six feet in length. The primary focus remains on capturing the gator that attacked Evans.
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.