Scuba divers were searching Thursday in what the sheriff’s office described as “alligator-infested waters” after human body parts were found at a nature preserve near West Palm Beach, Florida.
The Martin County Sheriff’s Office noted in a statement that the Hungryland Wildlife Sanctuary was closed after human remains were discovered near the canal bank on Wednesday evening.
“A large alligator was in possession of what was located last night,” the sheriff’s office said.
Officials did not reveal details but the Miami Herald reported that a state biologist had spotted what appeared to be a detached human arm in an alligator’s mouth. The newspaper reported that on Thursday another body part, possibly part of a leg, was discovered.
“We can’t rule out the possibility that someone fell in the water and died of natural causes here, but that doesn’t sound like us,” Sheriff William Snyder said, according to WPTV.
Criminal investigators, forensic detectives and state wildlife officers were at the scene. The sheriff’s office also said a sniper was “keeping a watchful eye” to protect divers from alligators.
The parkwhich comprises more than 16,600 acres in Martin and Palm Beach counties, is used for hunting, fishing and wildlife viewing.
The discovery of the body parts comes after it was revealed Florida wildlife officials had killed a big alligator who swam inches from a scared paddleboarder at a popular state park in a videotaped September encounter that went viral.
