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By James Bickerton and Shane Croucher
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A woman kayaking in Florida's Lake Kissimmee was attacked and killed by an alligator on Tuesday.
Newsweek contacted the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and Polk County Sheriff's Office for comment on Wednesday via telephone outside regular office hours.
What To Know
The FWC said the incident occurred near the mouth of Tiger Creek in Polk County around 4 p.m., News 6 reported.
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The agency also reported that all contact was lost with the woman from when she went into the water until her body was later recovered nearby.
Another person was with the deceased woman at the time of the incident but was not injured in the attack.
There is some confusion over whether the dead woman had been in a kayak—which has an enclosed hull—or a canoe, which is open top. The FWC reported the vessel was a canoe, while the Polk County Sheriff's Office said a kayak.
Both FWC officers and Polk County sheriff's deputies responded to the incident, which remains under investigation.
The alligator involved in the attack has not been located. A nuisance alligator trapper has been dispatched to the area, according to News 6.
Alligator attacks on humans are rare, but several are reported each year in Florida.
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According to the FWC, there are about 1.3 million alligators in the state. A total of 11 attacks on humans were reported in 2024 and 23 in 2023, one of which was fatal.
In June, a man had an arm amputated following an alligator attack in Lake Monroe, Seminole County.
In February 2023, a 85-year-old woman was killed by a 10-foot alligator while walking her dog at a Fort Pierce retirement facility.
Since 1948, the FWC has recorded more than 450 alligator attacks on humans, including about 30 incidents that resulted in a person's death.
On its official website, the FWC says: "Although many Floridians have learned to coexist with alligators, the potential for conflict always exists. Serious injuries caused by alligators are rare in Florida, but if you are concerned about an alligator, call FWC's toll-free Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-392-4286. The FWC will dispatch one of its contracted nuisance alligator trappers to resolve the situation.
"Remember, never feed an alligator and keep your distance if you see one. Swim only in designated swimming areas during daylight hours. And keep pets on a leash and away from the water."
What People Are Saying
A spokesperson for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission told News 6: "Preliminary information indicates that a woman was canoeing when she encountered an alligator and went into the water. The woman was later recovered from the water and is declared deceased."
Professor Bobby Fokidis, an alligator expert, previously told Newsweek: "The 'water test' as I learned when I first moved to Florida, 13 years ago says, 'if the water is wet, there are gators.'"
What Happens Next
An investigation into the incident is underway, and authorities continue to search for the alligator involved in Tuesday's attack.
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