Wife killed in alligator attack in Central Florida while kayaking with her husband
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission estimates there are about 1.3 million alligators in the state, found in all 67 counties.
Florida alligator hunting season changes
Video from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission of some of the state's 1.3 million reptiles.
POLK COUNTY, Fla. - A 61-year-old woman from Davenport, Florida was attacked and killed by an alligator while she was canoeing with her husband on Tuesday afternoon, according to Florida wildlife officials.
The woman and her husband were canoeing in shallow water near the mouth of Tiger Creek at Lake Kissimmee State Park in Central Florida on Tuesday afternoon when their boat passed over a large alligator, Major Evan Laskowski of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said at a Wednesday news conference.
Wildlife officials said witness statements revealed that the gator thrashed and tipped the boat over and the couple fell into the water.
"She ended up on top of the alligator in the water and was bitten. Her husband attempted to intervene but was unsuccessful," said Laskowski.
Investigators did say the exact details of the incident have not yet been determined.
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Lake Kissimmee State Park.
(Photo by: Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images / Getty Images)
Video from the scene showed law enforcement officers using both boats and helicopters to respond to the scene to search for the animal.
The commission said two gators that were close to 11 feet in length, matching the description given by witnesses, have been removed from the water.
Officials have not confirmed whether either of those animals was the one responsible for the attack but said they would release that information once their investigation is completed. They said the responsible animal will be euthanized once it's positively identified.
Nuisance alligator trappers remain in the area.
Roger Young, Executive Director of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, said there was no active threat to the community but encouraged people to remain aware of their surroundings.
"We encourage people to get out and enjoy our wildlife and enjoy our wilderness areas," he said. "But be cautious of your surroundings, be aware of where you are, be aware of the wildlife that's in the area."
Lake Kissimmee, which spans approximately 35,000 acres across Polk and Osceola counties, is known for having one of the highest concentrations of alligators in the Sunshine State.
FWC estimates there are approximately 1.3 million alligators living throughout all of Florida’s 67 counties.
Despite the large population of reptiles, unprovoked attacks on humans are still considered rare.
State records show that since 1948, there have been fewer than 500 confirmed alligator bite incidents involving humans.
A recent analysis by experts at the University of Florida found that more than 90% of recorded incidents involved some form of human inattention or risk-taking prior to the attack.
![The Sunshine State's alligator population is estimated to be 1.3 million, with alligators inhabiting all 67 counties in the state. These creatures can be found in any wetland with sufficient food and shelter.]()
Image 1 of 3The Sunshine State's alligator population is estimated to be 1.3 million, with alligators inhabiting all 67 counties in the state. These creatures can be found in any wetland with sufficient food and shelter. (Tim Donovan / FWC)
![An alligator is seen at the Gator Park in the Florida Everglades May 17, 2006, in Miami-Dade County.]()
Image 2 of 3An alligator is seen at the Gator Park in the Florida Everglades May 17, 2006, in Miami-Dade County. (Joe Raedle)
![Turtle seen hitching ride with alligator 'like it's a horse' at Florida pond]()
Image 3 of 3when a travel blogger in Tampa, Florida, came across the rare sight of a turtle hitching a ride on top of an alligator, he had to take a photo! (Traveling with Jef)
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The most recent incident came during peak alligator mating season, a period when the animals are typically more active and territorial.
Additionally, ongoing drought conditions may lead to some alligators being displaced from their usual habitats.
University experts advise outdoor enthusiasts to approach wetlands and marsh areas with heightened caution, comparing it to hiking in bear country or swimming in waters known to be inhabited by sharks.
Watch: Barefoot Florida man wrestles alligator from side of interstate
A local alligator wrangler called the Blue Collar Brawler was caught on camera wrestling an alligator from the media of Interstate 95 on Sunday.