ORLANDO, Fla. -- Since the 911 call came in Thursday, wildlife officers have been scouring scouring an Orlando creek looking for mother alligator they say bit a disc golfer.

The man is recovering after an alligator attack at the popular Orange County park. He is expected to be OK, but there are new concerns for those at Barnett Park. 

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Officer Chad Weber said trappers have been unable to lure the alligator out of the water with bait.

"We can't allow an alligator to bite a human and leave the alligator out in the wild," Weber said.

The park, off Colonial Drive and behind Central Florida Fairgrounds, was closed Friday morning, but the attack happened near a soccer field. 

The man, in his early 30s, went into the water to retrieve something when a 6-foot female alligator protecting her nest bit him in the upper thigh, officials said.

"Female alligators can be very aggressive when it comes to their nest, so nesting season, adult alligators, especially if she is there, she will defend her eggs," Weber said.

While his injuries were minor, he was rushed to Orlando Regional Medical Center. 

"Investigators went and took photos and the bite impressions look similar to that of an alligator and matches the size of the alligator seen in that area," Weber said.

Because this is a popular park, the FWC dispatched a nuisance alligator trapper

Weber recommends people avoid swimming in the morning and evening hours when alligators are most active.

Officials said they can't allow the risk that someone else will get hurt, so if the gator is found, it will be euthanized.