Alligator kills 61-year-old Davenport woman canoeing with husband on Lake Kissimmee

Woman killed by alligator bite

Kylie Jones reports.

POLK COUNTY, Fla. - A Davenport woman is dead after being killed by an alligator while canoeing with her husband at the mouth of Tiger Creek on Lake Kissimmee on Tuesday afternoon.

Deadly gator incident

The backstory:

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 61-year-old Cynthia Diekema and her husband were canoeing in a 14-foot canoe in approximately two-and-a-half feet of water when their canoe passed over an alligator. The alligator thrashed, tipped the canoe over and the couple ended up in the water.

FWC officials say the woman landed on top of the alligator and was bitten. They said her husband tried to intervene but was unsuccessful.

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She was later discovered by a Polk County Sheriff’s Office helicopter and later recovered by FWC officers on a vessel.

FWC officials said they do not believe the alligator attack was predatory.

What they're saying:

"While alligator attacks resulting in fatalities are extremely rare, this tragedy serves as a somber reminder of the powerful wildlife that share our natural spaces," stated Roger Young, executive director of the FWC.

Deadly alligator attack press conference

FWC officials give an update after a 61-year-old woman was killed by an alligator on Lake Kissimmee Tuesday afternoon.

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Young also extended condolences to the victim's friends and family.

"Our heartfelt prayers go out to them," Young shared. "This is a devastating loss, and our hearts go out to everyone affected by this tragedy."

Alligators trapped

Dig deeper:

Contracted nuisance alligator trappers responded to the scene Tuesday night and recovered an 11-foot-4-inch alligator that matched the description of the alligator involved in the incident.

On Wednesday morning, trappers recovered another alligator that was about 10 or 11 feet long.

The deadly incident is still under investigation.

By the numbers:

This is the second alligator incident in the area. In March, a woman was bitten on the arm by a gator while kayaking with a group of people.

Woman killed by gator while canoeing

Florida wildlife officials say a woman was attacked and killed by an alligator while canoeing on Lake Kissimmee on Tuesday. FOX 13’s Regina Gonzalez reports.

Lake Kissimmee, which spans about 35,000 acres across Polk and Osceola counties, is known for having one of the highest concentrations of alligators in Florida.

FWC also estimates there are 1.3 million gators statewide.

The FWC says it assesses the alligator population on a yearly basis.

"We did increase, just this year, the allotment for our statewide alligator hunt by 1,000 tags," Young said. "And, along with our Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program, we've taken up to 15,000 alligators out of the wild this past year."

It's currently alligator mating season, so the FWC said that while alligators aren't more aggressive, they are more active during this time of year.

FWC tips to stay safe around alligators

What you can do:

If you encounter an alligator that is believed to pose a threat to people, pets, or property, call the FWC’s Nuisance Alligator Hotline, toll‐free at 1‐866‐FWC‐GATOR (392‐4286). The FWC’s Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (SNAP) uses contracted nuisance alligator trappers throughout the state to remove alligators 4 feet in length or greater that are believed to pose a threat.
Be aware of the possible presence of alligators when in or near fresh or brackish water. Negative alligator encounters may occur when people do not pay close attention to their surroundings when working or recreating near water.
Closely supervise children when they are playing in or around water.
Never swim outside of posted swimming areas.
Swim only during daylight hours. Alligators are most active between dusk and dawn.
Do not allow pets to swim, exercise, or drink in or near waters that may contain alligators or in designated swimming areas with humans. Dogs are more susceptible to being bitten than humans because dogs resemble the natural prey of alligators. The sound of dogs barking and playing may draw an alligator to the area.
Never feed or entice alligators – it is dangerous and illegal. When fed, alligators overcome their natural wariness and associate people with food.
Inform others that feeding alligators is illegal and creates problems for others who want to recreate in or near the water.
Dispose of fish scraps in garbage cans at boat ramps and fish camps – do not throw them in the water. Although you are not intentionally feeding alligators when you do this, the result can be the same.
Observe and photograph alligators only from a safe distance. Remember, they are an important part of Florida’s natural history as well as an integral component of freshwater ecosystems.
Leave alligators alone. State law prohibits killing, harassing, or possessing alligators except under a permit.
Never remove an alligator from its natural habitat or accept one as a pet. It is illegal and dangerous to do so. Handling even small alligators can result in injury.
If an alligator bites you, the best thing to do is fight back, providing as much noise and resistance as possible. Hitting or kicking the alligator or poking it in its eyes may cause it to release its grip.
When alligators seize prey they cannot easily overpower, they will often let go and retreat.
Seek immediate medical attention if bitten by an alligator. Alligator bites often result in serious infection.

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The Source: This story was written with information from the Polk County Sheriff's Office and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. FOX Weather contributed to this report.

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