A woman was killed Tuesday afternoon after an alligator attacked her near the mouth of Tiger Creek, where it flows into Lake Kissimmee, according to Florida wildlife officials. At this point in time, her name has not been released.
The incident occurred around 4 p.m., about 70 miles south of Orlando. Authorities said the woman was in a small boat when the alligator struck. She entered the water during the attack and was not seen again until her body was later recovered in the area. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is investigating the fatal encounter.
Florida wildlife officers and Polk County sheriff’s deputies responded to the deadly alligator attack near Lake Kissimmee, officials confirmed Wednesday.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the woman was in a kayak at the time of the attack, accompanied by another person who was unharmed. However, a spokesperson for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) stated the vessel was believed to be a canoe, not a kayak—highlighting a key distinction between the two types of paddlecraft, with canoes having open hulls and kayaks typically enclosed.
An alligator trapper was called to the area, but as of the latest update, there was no confirmation that the alligator responsible had been located. Given enough time, it may be impossible to identify the animal responsible for the attack.
