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• Behold the cautionary tale of Eric Merda, who shared his harrowing story with WTSP-TV.
Merda was at the Lake Manatee Fish Camp in Myakka City, Florida, when he became lost in the woods. When he found the lake, he decided to swim across: "Not the smartest decision a Florida boy could make," Merda said.
As he swam, a gator got hold of his forearm and dragged him underwater three times, he said, and "when we came up the third time, she finally did her death roll and took off with my arm."
Merda, suffering indescribable pain, returned to shore and started to walk, trying to find his way out of the swamp.
Three days later, following the sun and power lines, he found a fence and a man on the other side.
Merda told the man what had happened, and he summoned help. Surgeons amputated what remained of Merda's arm; now he's speaking out about the danger of alligators.
"You guys know who you are, throwing rocks at them. Leave them gators alone."