Fla. Authorities: Alligator Bites off Thumb of Seminole Tribe Worker

Florida officials said a Seminole Tribe employee trying to trap a nuisance alligator was bitten by the creature, which lopped off his thumb.

Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue airlifted the 38-year-old to Broward General Medical Center, where staff were trying Tuesday to reattach his thumb.

Tribe spokesman Gary Bitner did not identify the man for privacy reasons but said he was a longtime employee who worked in animal control. The tribe plans to investigate.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokesman Jorge Pino says his agency will document the incident.

No information was immediately available on what happened to the 7-foot-long alligator.