Remarkable Tale of Survival in North Fort Myers
North Fort Myers, FL – An 84-year-old woman in southwest Florida experienced a harrowing encounter with a 7-foot, 3-inch alligator this week while walking her dog near a pond. Despite the terrifying ordeal, she lived to recount the dramatic event.
Del Boppel was taking her Shih Tzu, Queen, for an evening stroll on Thursday in her North Fort Myers mobile home park when she sensed something was amiss. “All of a sudden, I had a premonition, I’m telling you,” Boppel shared with WBBH from her hospital bed. “It was like, ‘uh-oh.’”
The attack
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission confirmed the presence of the sizable alligator that attacked Boppel. The reptile approached her and her dog with lightning speed. “It was like a torpedo. I didn’t see anything go that fast in my life,” Boppel recalled.
In a desperate attempt to protect her pet, Boppel tossed Queen into the air as the alligator lunged at her, inflicting bites on her legs and fingers. A nearby resident, who heard the commotion, promptly called 911. Body camera footage from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office captured the neighbor’s account: “I opened my window and heard someone screaming.”
Boppel, demonstrating remarkable bravery, managed to fend off the alligator by punching it in the face, forcing it to retreat. Authorities, including the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, and Lee County Emergency Medical Services, responded swiftly to the scene. A nuisance alligator trapper was dispatched to remove the aggressive reptile.
Boppel was transported to a hospital for treatment. As of Saturday, the state wildlife agency had not offered an update on her condition. Despite her injuries, Boppel expressed optimism and was eager to reunite with her beloved dog, Queen.
Alligator attacks in Florida
While serious alligator-related injuries are relatively rare in Florida, they do occur. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission notes that between 2004 and 2022, the state recorded nearly 190 alligator attacks, 12 of which were fatal.
In a tragic incident earlier this year, a 10-foot alligator attacked and killed an 85-year-old woman walking her dog in Fort Pierce, Florida. The alligator dragged her into a nearby pond, underscoring the potential dangers of these powerful reptiles.
Del Boppel’s incredible story of survival serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of wildlife in Florida. Her courage and quick thinking undoubtedly saved her life, and she now looks forward to a full recovery and reuniting with her loyal companion, Queen.