Alligator Attack Claims Woman’s Life at Lake Kissimmee
CITY — May 24, 2024 —
In a heartbreaking incident, a woman was killed in an alligator attack at Lake Kissimmee State Park, Florida, on Tuesday afternoon, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Authorities indicated the attack occurred while the victim was canoeing with her husband. the exact circumstances of the alligator attack, including whether they were in the same canoe, are under investigation. For further details, continue reading.
Tragedy at Lake Kissimmee: Alligator Attack Claims Woman’s Life
A woman died Tuesday afternoon after being attacked by an alligator while canoeing with her husband in Lake Kissimmee State Park, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). The incident occured near the mouth of Tiger Creek in Polk County, approximately 60 miles south of Orlando.
The attack and Immediate response
The FWC reported that the attack took place around 4 p.m.EDT. The woman’s husband attempted to fend off the alligator, but his efforts were unsuccessful. It remains unclear whether the couple was in the same canoe or separate canoes at the time of the attack.
Did you know? Alligator attacks on humans are relatively rare in Florida, with fatalities being even less frequent. Though, it’s crucial to remain vigilant and aware of your surroundings in areas known to be inhabited by alligators.
Shortly after the attack, the FWC received a call and requested assistance from the Polk County sheriff’s Office. A rescue team, including a helicopter crew, was dispatched to search for the missing woman.
The helicopter spotted the victim floating in the water and FWC officers recovered her from the water, where she was pronounced dead.
Unnamed Official
Suspected Repeat Offender
Authorities suspect the alligator involved in Tuesday’s attack may be the same one that attacked another woman in March. That woman was paddling in the Tiger Creek Canal when she was bitten on her elbow and afterward airlifted to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Pro Tip: Avoid swimming or paddling in areas known to be inhabited by alligators, especially during dawn and dusk when they are most active. Always keep a safe distance from the water’s edge and supervise children closely.
In response to the recent incidents, a nuisance alligator trapper has been dispatched to the location to capture and remove the offending alligator.
Ancient Context of Alligator Attacks in Florida
Tuesday’s attack marks a grim milestone, raising the number of reported alligator attacks in Florida to 491 since 1948, with 28 fatalities, according to FWC records as reported by the Palm Beach Post. Of these attacks, 315 are categorized as “major,” meaning they required medical care to treat injuries.
A University of Florida report indicates that most alligator attacks are triggered by risky human behavior, such as swimming in alligator-inhabited waters or walking dogs along canals where alligators reside.
Recent incidents highlight the ongoing risk:
- In September 2023, Florida police
found a woman’s remains still in the jaws of an alligator near Tampa Bay.
- In June, a homeless man in Seminole County
lost an arm that was amputated at the elbow after an alligator attacked while he was swimming in Lake Monroe during the overnight hours.
- In may 2024, Houston police
shot and killed an alligator they found taking bites from the remains of a dead missing woman for whom they had been searching.
