Alligator just bit my hand off. Which one? Don't know, they all look alike

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/06/13/152301/doctors-attempt-to-reattach-tour.html

Doctors attempt to reattach tour guide's hand snatched by alligator

Posted on Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Alejandro Bolvar | McClatchy Newspapers

MIAMI — The Everglades airboat tour started like most. Revved engines, six windswept tourists and an hourlong trek through the sawgrass.

But it didn't end like others.

The tour guide's left hand was bitten clear off by an alligator, which authorities then found, killed and slit open just outside of the national park in Southwest Florida.

Inside the beast's belly: Wallace "Captain Wally" Weatherholt's severed hand.

[Marr]

1. Feeding the alligator.

Well, that sucks. Hope his hand can be be reattached, but it sounds like the result of some negligent behavior.

[NYC_SKP]

2. K & Arrrrrgh!

[Bonobo]

3. He must be stupid. It is obvious that hands are very similar mirror images of each other but

not identical.

[Marrah_G]

5. ~blink~

[Marrah_G]

4. I have a feeling him new nickname will be Captain Hook!

He is lucky to be alive.

[Solly Mack]

6. During swamp tours the guide will often extend an arm out & over the side of the boat

while holding bait in their hand and an alligator will propel itself out of the water with its tail and 'fetch' the food. Some use poles and some don't.

It's illegal - but a lot of guides do it. (and the company/owners know they do it)

[4th law of robotics]

7. Well next time he can use a hook instead.

Much safer.

[Solly Mack]

9. !

[SwissTony]

11. They feed the crocodiles in Northern Australia

but they use a stick with a rope attached - no hands in danger.

[Solly Mack]

15. Some guides do that here. (LA)

Train a gator that a hand extended over water means food and then a day comes along when you're just pointing out something to see and there goes the hand.

[SwissTony]

16. I was sure not all guides are idiots.

We've got Australian idiots who stand knee deep and more in murky water fishing. What is amazing is that the seem to survive. I'm sure you have similar people. Stupidity seems to be common to all countries.

AFAIK, people who go on the croc tours are told not to put their hand out over the water for any reason. I've seen a tour guide get pretty sharp with a tourist who had his hand out just over the side of the boat. Once people see a croc in action, they seem to appreciate this advice rather better.

[JoePhilly]

17. Two words ... "Mannequin hand"!!!

[slackmaster]

8. Alligators took my baby!

[Historic NY]

10. Momma said never feed dem there gators...they bite the hands that feeds them.

[TheCowsCameHome]

12. Notify OSHA. His left turn signal must've malfunctioned.

[Tom Ripley]

13. Jerry Reed...

[Blue_Tires]

18. brilliant

[PufPuf23]

14. That nearly happened to my Dad!!!

Back in 1958, we took a a family trip to Disneyland in Anaheim.

I had never seen a bigger town than Eureka, CA.

The first ride we went on was the jungle cruise. The tour operator warned us about the dangers.

Both my parents were heavy smokers of non-filter Lucky Strikes and there were not the public smoking laws now in effect.

Dad was holding his Lucky Strike over the water flicking ashes when up out of the water came a gator and opened his mouth and I totally freaked out.

Dad didn't even notice the ravenous beast but flicked ashes on its snout and then the gator submerged and everyone was wondering why I was a child in hysterics.