Sunday, June 6, 1999

By The Associated Press

HILTON HEAD, S.C. (AP) -- A man restocking his bird feeder was attacked by an 8-foot alligator from a nearby lagoon.

Joe Elam, 69, was in good condition at a local hospital following Saturday night's attack. Elam tripped while trying to escape and was bitten on his right leg.

The alligator was shot and killed by state wildlife officials because it had lost its fear of humans.

``That made him dangerous,'' wildlife agent David Vaughn said. ``He was aggressive, and we had to put it down.''

One area resident said the alligator had been in the neighborhood for at least 10 years and that people sometimes fed it.

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