This is SO disturbing to hear!
On Monday, we learned that Disney World officials were warned about a dangerous alligator less than an hour before two-year-old Lane Graves was attacked and killed back in June.
Related: Family Holds Funeral For Toddler Killed In Alligator Attack
Now, we’re hearing the alligator likely lost its fear of humans after living in close proximity to people for so long before the attack.
A report from the Florida Fish And Wildlife Conservation Commission, which classified the attack itself as “predatory,” found that neither the boy nor his family did anything to provoke the attack itself.
After being so close to people in that Grand Floridian Resort lagoon for so long, the alligator simply had grown accustomed to humans, apparently.
In addition to yesterday’s tourist who allegedly witnessed an alligator nearby just minutes before Graves’ attack, the report also states that a South Carolina tourist allegedly photographed the alligator from their hotel balcony nearly two hours earlier.
That, according to the Commission, further proves the creature was at ease in the area rather than scared of people.
Furthermore, the report compiled and confirmed eyewitness accounts of the boy’s death — of course, we had already confirmed the boy died from both a crushing bite to the head, and drowning.
Related: This Mom Proves The Attack Could Have Happened To Any Family
According to the state investigators, Lane Graves:
“…could have been mistaken for some of the animal’s normal prey like opossum, armadillo or raccoon.”
Ugh.
We know Disney World has been hard at work clearing away other alligators from the area, so as to protect future patrons — so in that regard, maybe at least one good thing will come of Graves’ death.
Related: Disney Quietly Removed All Animated Crocodiles & Alligators From Theme Park
But clearly, this is just a horrible, horrible story.
Our thoughts are still with Lane’s family during such a sad, trying time.
[Image via Orange County Sheriff’s Office/Disney.]
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