10yr old girl fought off a 9ft alligator by sticking her fingers in its nostrils

10-year-old Juliana Ossa is lucky to be alive, she was attacked by a 9ft alligator at Mary Jane Lake but fought the beast off and escaped with injuries to her leg. On a trip to Orland theme park, Gatorland, she picked up tips on what to do in case of an alligator attack and those lessons ultimately saved her life. She stuck her fingers in the alligator's nostrils and jammed its respiration forcing it to release its jaws in order to breath from the mouth. She said:

'I put my two fingers up its nostrils and it couldn't breath and had to breathe from its mouth and then let my leg out.'
'The gator didn't do anything because he was too busy biting my leg and too busy with his claws in the sand. He didn't have any attack moves to take out my fingers.'

She initially tried hitting the alligator to escape, but when that didn't work she remember what she was taught while visiting the theme park and wildlife preserve. Gatorland was impressed that Ossa was able to think so clearly in such a dire situation and an employee Tim Williams said: 'At 10 years old, to have that much wherewithal to do what she did is incredible. We are so proud of her that she got out of there with as little damage as she got.' Ossa was also yelling for help while fighting off the reptile and passersby ran to her rescue.

 Two lifeguards then bandaged Ossa's bleeding leg before she was taken for medical treatment. She is able to walk and recovering after receiving 10 stitches in her leg. The alligator was captured and euthanized following the attack.

 Expert Jordon Munns said:
'Gators are afraid of humans. If you are screaming and making as much scene as possible while [also poking the creature in its eyes and ears], there is a good chance the alligator is going to [think]: "I am used to eating things that don't fight back," and let go of you.'