A legal battle is unfolding in Florida after a tourist filed a lawsuit seeking over $50,000 in damages from a prominent wildlife attraction, alleging he sustained facial injuries during a complimentary alligator encounter. The incident, which reportedly occurred in June 2025, has brought renewed attention to the safety protocols surrounding direct animal interactions at tourist destinations.
The lawsuit, filed in Broward County by resident Edil Kasenov against Airboat Rides at Midway (operated by DCML Enterprises, LLC), centers on an alleged alligator bite sustained during a post-airboat tour event. This attraction, a popular stop in Christmas, Florida, offers guests the opportunity to hold alligators for photographs, a service the plaintiff claims was negligently managed, leading to his injuries.
Tourist Alleges Negligence During Alligator Encounter
According to the legal complaint, Edil Kasenov was participating in the attraction's complimentary alligator encounter following an airboat tour on the St. Johns River. Kasenov asserts that he was bitten in the face by an alligator during this interaction. The lawsuit contends that the company created a hazardous situation by allowing visitors to handle the reptile without implementing sufficient safety measures to prevent harm.
Further allegations in the complaint highlight a perceived lack of adequate warnings, safety devices, and proper animal restraint. Kasenov's legal team argues that the employees responsible for supervising the encounter were insufficiently trained and overseen, contributing to the incident.
Legal Claim for Physical and Emotional Damages
The lawsuit details that Kasenov suffered significant bodily injuries, which have resulted in alleged permanent physical impairment, disfigurement, emotional distress, loss of income, and incurred medical expenses. He is seeking a jury trial to determine the extent of the damages, which he claims may be lasting.
The legal filing aims to secure compensation for the harm caused by the alleged negligence of the wildlife attraction.
Attraction Disputes Claims, Cites Visitor Misconduct
Airboat Rides at Midway has countered Kasenov's allegations, presenting an alternative narrative of the event. The company's representatives, as reported by local media, maintain that staff provide explicit instructions to visitors on how to safely handle the alligators and strictly warn them against placing their faces near the animals.
According to the attraction, Kasenov disregarded these safety directives while attempting to take a photograph. The company disputes the claim of a bite, stating instead that the juvenile alligator became startled and swung its head, causing what they describe as minor scratches to Kasenov's cheek. They also assert that the alligator's mouth was secured with a safety band to prevent bites, and that Kasenov received immediate first aid.
Scrutiny of Safety Protocols and Visitor Responsibility
The attraction's operational information, accessible via its website, indicates that alligators involved in encounters are fitted with mouth bands to mitigate bite risks. Visitors are explicitly cautioned against approaching the animal's head with their hands or faces. The alligator encounter is presented as an optional activity following the primary airboat tour.
Adding to the complexity, reports suggest Kasenov himself mentioned being "bitten by an alligator" in a social media post shortly after the incident, although the post did not fully align with the specific claims made in the lawsuit. The case is now before the Orange County Circuit Court, where a judgment will hinge on the court's assessment of the attraction's safety procedures and the degree of responsibility attributable to both the company and the visitor.
