Alligator attacks, kills woman at Lake Kissimmee State Park, officials say
The Brief
A woman was attacked and killed by an alligator Tuesday afternoon at Lake Kissimmee State Park, according to officials.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office said its agency and others responded to assist FWC.
The victim's identity and details about the alligator remain unknown.
ORLANDO, Fla. - A woman was attacked and killed by an alligator on Tuesday afternoon on Lake Kissimmee, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
Attack comes 2 months after another alligator encounter in same area
What we know
An alligator attacked and killed a woman Tuesday afternoon at Lake Kissimmee State Park, prompting a multi-agency emergency response.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office said it received a call at 4:05 p.m. requesting assistance from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission about an incident near the mouth of Tiger Creek into Lake Kissimmee. Deputies, a Marine Unit and a helicopter were dispatched to the scene, along with support from the Osceola County Sheriff's Office.
According to initial reports, two people were kayaking or canoeing on the lake when a woman came across an alligator and went into the water. She was later found deceased.
The alligator attack comes two months after a kayaker was attacked by an alligator on a canal between Tiger Lake and Kissimmee Lake.
What they're saying
The incident remains under investigation, but preliminary information indicates that a woman was taken underwater by the alligator.
"The woman was later recovered from the water and is declared deceased," a statement from the FWC read. "At this time, the incident remains under investigation and no additional details are available."
Serious injuries caused by alligators are rare in Florida, the FWC said.
"The FWC places the highest priority on public safety and administers a Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (SNAP). SNAP uses contracted nuisance alligator trappers throughout the state to remove alligators believed to pose a threat to people, pets or property."
What we don't know
Authorities have not provided information about the woman's identity. A contracted nuisance alligator trapper was dispatched to the area. It's unclear whether the alligator was captured.
Officials have not said whether the area has been temporarily closed or if public access to the lake has been restricted in the wake of the incident.
The backstory
Lake Kissimmee State Park is a popular recreation area located off State Road 60, about 15 miles east of Lake Wales. The park is known for its rich biodiversity, and that includes large populations of alligators. Visitors often kayak or canoe through waterways such as the Zipper Canal and Lake Rosalie, launching from designated areas including the cow camp bridge and the marina.
The Kissimmee Chain of Lakes Area (KCOLA) spans 21,000 acres across Polk and Osceola counties and forms part of the headwaters of the Kissimmee-Okeechobee-Everglades watershed—a vital ecological corridor for the state.
Despite the beauty and recreational appeal of the region, it is home to native wildlife, including potentially dangerous predators. Alligator encounters are not uncommon in Central Florida's freshwater systems, particularly during warmer months when the reptiles are more active.
What you can do
The FWC works to keep Floridians and visitors informed and recommends the following precautionary measures near alligators, including in or near the water, to reduce the chances of conflicts with alligators
Keep a safe distance if you see an alligator. If someone is concerned about an alligator, they should call FWC's toll-free Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286), and we will dispatch a contracted nuisance alligator trapper to resolve the situation.
Keep pets on a leash and away from the water's edge. Pets often resemble alligators' natural prey.
Swim only in designated swimming areas during daylight hours and without your pet. Alligators are most active between dusk and dawn.
Never feed an alligator. It's illegal and dangerous. When fed, alligators can lose their natural wariness and instead learn to associate people with the availability of food. This can lead to an alligator becoming a nuisance and needing to be removed from the wild.
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The Source
This story was written based on information shared by the Polk County Sheriff's Office and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
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