POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A Davenport lady is useless after being killed by an alligator whereas canoeing along with her husband on the mouth of Tiger Creek on Lake Kissimmee on Tuesday afternoon.
Lethal gator incident
The backstory:
In response to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Fee, 61-year-old Cynthia Diekema and her husband had been canoeing in a 14-foot canoe in roughly two-and-a-half ft of water when their canoe handed over an alligator. The alligator thrashed, tipped the canoe over and the couple ended up within the water.
FWC officers say the girl landed on high of the alligator and was bitten. They mentioned her husband tried to intervene however was unsuccessful.
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She was later found by a Polk County Sheriff’s Workplace helicopter and later recovered by FWC officers on a vessel.
FWC officers mentioned they don’t consider the alligator assault was predatory.
What they’re saying:
“Whereas alligator assaults leading to fatalities are extraordinarily uncommon, this tragedy serves as a somber reminder of the highly effective wildlife that share our pure areas,” acknowledged Roger Younger, govt director of the FWC.
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Younger additionally prolonged condolences to the sufferer’s family and friends.
“Our heartfelt prayers exit to them,” Younger shared. “It is a devastating loss, and our hearts exit to everybody affected by this tragedy.”
Alligators trapped
Dig deeper:
Contracted nuisance alligator trappers responded to the scene Tuesday evening and recovered an 11-foot-4-inch alligator that matched the outline of the alligator concerned within the incident.
On Wednesday morning, trappers recovered one other alligator that was about 10 or 11 ft lengthy.
The lethal incident continues to be below investigation.
By the numbers:
That is the second alligator incident within the space. In March, a girl was bitten on the arm by a gator whereas kayaking with a bunch of individuals.
Lady killed by gator whereas canoeing
Florida wildlife officers say a girl was attacked and killed by an alligator whereas canoeing on Lake Kissimmee on Tuesday. FOX 13’s Regina Gonzalez experiences.
Lake Kissimmee, which spans about 35,000 acres throughout Polk and Osceola counties, is thought for having one of many highest concentrations of alligators in Florida.
FWC additionally estimates there are 1.3 million gators statewide.
The FWC says it assesses the alligator inhabitants on a yearly foundation.
“We did enhance, simply this 12 months, the allotment for our statewide alligator hunt by 1,000 tags,” Younger mentioned. “And, together with our Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program, we have taken as much as 15,000 alligators out of the wild this previous 12 months.”
It is at the moment alligator mating season, so the FWC mentioned that whereas alligators aren’t extra aggressive, they’re extra lively throughout this time of 12 months.
FWC tricks to keep secure round alligators
What you are able to do:
- When you encounter an alligator that’s believed to pose a menace to individuals, pets, or property, name the FWC’s Nuisance Alligator Hotline, toll‐free at 1‐866‐FWC‐GATOR (392‐4286). The FWC’s Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (SNAP) makes use of contracted nuisance alligator trappers all through the state to take away alligators 4 ft in size or larger which can be believed to pose a menace.
- Concentrate on the potential presence of alligators when in or close to contemporary or brackish water. Destructive alligator encounters might happen when individuals don’t pay shut consideration to their environment when working or recreating close to water.
- Carefully supervise kids when they’re enjoying in or round water.
- By no means swim exterior of posted swimming areas.
- Swim solely throughout sunlight hours. Alligators are most lively between nightfall and daybreak.
- Don’t permit pets to swim, train, or drink in or close to waters that will include alligators or in designated swimming areas with people. Canine are extra prone to being bitten than people as a result of canines resemble the pure prey of alligators. The sound of canines barking and enjoying might draw an alligator to the realm.
- By no means feed or entice alligators – it’s harmful and unlawful. When fed, alligators overcome their pure wariness and affiliate individuals with meals.
- Inform others that feeding alligators is against the law and creates issues for others who need to recreate in or close to the water.
- Get rid of fish scraps in rubbish cans at boat ramps and fish camps – don’t throw them within the water. Though you aren’t deliberately feeding alligators once you do that, the outcome will be the identical.
- Observe and {photograph} alligators solely from a secure distance. Keep in mind, they’re an necessary a part of Florida’s pure historical past in addition to an integral element of freshwater ecosystems.
- Go away alligators alone. State regulation prohibits killing, harassing, or possessing alligators besides below a allow.
- By no means take away an alligator from its pure habitat or settle for one as a pet. It’s unlawful and harmful to take action. Dealing with even small alligators can lead to damage.
- If an alligator bites you, one of the best factor to do is battle again, offering as a lot noise and resistance as potential. Hitting or kicking the alligator or poking it in its eyes might trigger it to launch its grip.
- When alligators seize prey they can’t simply overpower, they are going to typically let go and retreat.
- Search rapid medical consideration if bitten by an alligator. Alligator bites typically end in severe an infection.
The Supply: This story was written with data from the Polk County Sheriff’s Workplace and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Fee. FOX Climate contributed to this report.
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