Alligator attacks, kills woman canoeing on central Florida lake

Lake Wales, Fla. — An alligator attacked and killed a lady on a central Florida lake Tuesday afternoon, authorities mentioned.

The assault occurred close to the mouth of Tiger Creek into Lake Kissimmee, south of Orlando, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Fee mentioned in a information launch.

A lady was canoeing when she encountered an alligator and “went into the water,” the FWC mentioned. The girl was later recovered from the water and declared useless.

Polk County Sheriff’s Workplace deputies and marine models assisted with the search. The girl had been with one other particular person on the time of the assault, sheriff’s officers mentioned.

Investigators did not launch any particulars concerning the assault or the alligator. A contracted nuisance alligator trapper has been dispatched to the world.

Severe accidents attributable to alligators are uncommon in Florida, officers mentioned. The FWC administers a Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (SNAP) to take away alligators believed to pose a risk to folks, pets or property.

The FWC says folks there and all over the place ought to heed this recommendation:

• Maintain a secure distance in the event you see an alligator.
• Maintain pets on a leash and away from the water’s edge. Pets typically resemble alligators’ pure prey. 
• Swim solely in designated swimming areas throughout sunlight hours and with out your pet. Alligators are most lively between nightfall and daybreak. 
• By no means feed an alligator. It is unlawful and harmful. When fed, alligators can lose their pure wariness and as a substitute study to affiliate folks with the provision of meals. This will result in an alligator changing into a nuisance and needing to be faraway from the wild.