71-year-old fisherman killed by alligator at Dr. Bradford Memorial Park

A 71-year-old fisherman from Winter Garden died after being attacked by an alligator at Dr. Bradford Memorial Park, according to FOX 35 Orlando and dailymail.com.

The man was holding a fish and attempting to take a photo of himself when a nearly 12-foot alligator bit his leg and pulled him into the water, where he drowned, the Orange County Medical Examiner's report and witnesses said.

Emergency crews faced challenges recovering the body because the alligator refused to release it initially, requiring alligator trappers to subdue the animal before the body was recovered, FOX 35 Orlando reported.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission confirmed the alligator was about 12 feet long and was later killed, with its head taken as evidence, according to dailymail.com.

Locals said the man was a regular fisherman at the park and remembered him fondly, with a small memorial set up at the site where the attack occurred.

Dr. Bradford Memorial Park has direct water access to Lake Apopka, which is known for having one of the largest American alligator populations in Central Florida, the FWC said.