Officials have said that an alligator bit off a Florida man's hand as the man swam in a canal but the hand was recovered and doctors may attempt to reattach it.

The Naples Daily News has reported that the victim, whose name was not reported, was swimming in a drainage canal near Naples, Fla., on Sunday night when the 10-foot alligator attacked.

The newspaper also said that the man and two companions called 911 from a gas station and the victim was airlifted to a trauma center.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission spokeswoman Gabriella Ferraro said that a trapper caught the alligator later that night and the man's hand was found in its stomach.

According to Ferraro, attempts would be made to reattach the hand.

She said, "Our goal is always to make a person whole again." (With Inputs from Agencies)