Florida woman killed by alligator while canoeing with husband at Lake Kissimmee: FWC

Florida woman killed by alligator while canoeing

A 61-year-old Davenport woman was killed Tuesday while canoeing with her husband at Lake Kissimmee State Park.

POLK COUNTY, Fla. - The woman who was killed by an alligator in Florida had been canoeing with her husband in Polk County when their canoe tipped over, causing them to fall into the water, according to wildlife officials.

Here are the latest details provided by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

FWC identifies Florida woman killed by alligator at Lake Kissimmee

New details:

On Tuesday afternoon, shortly after 4 p.m., FWC personnel were called out to assist local law enforcement with an incident involving an alligator at Lake Kissimmee State Park near the mouth of Tiger Creek into Lake Kissimmee.

Victim identified in deadly alligator attack in Polk County: FWC

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) shared the identity of the woman who was killed while canoeing/kayaking at Lake Kissimmee State Park on Tuesday. FWC stated that the woman and her husband were near the mouth of Tiger Creek into Lake Kissimmee in Polk County when the incident occurred.

During a Wednesday morning news conference, FWC officials reported that 61-year-old Cynthia Diekema of Davenport was canoeing with her husband when their 14-foot canoe passed over a large alligator. At the time, they were in approximately two and a half feet of water. The alligator thrashed, overturning the canoe and throwing the couple into the water.

The woman landed on top of the alligator and was bitten, according to officials. Her husband attempted to assist her but was unsuccessful.

She was later spotted by a Polk County Sheriff's Office helicopter and recovered by FWC officers, but died of her injuries.

The FWC has since launched an investigation into what happened and is working closely with local law enforcement partners, their biologists and their wildlife specialist.

Woman killed in Florida alligator attack

Brandon Fisher from Gatorland discusses alligator attacks following the tragic death of a woman who was killed by a gator while kayaking or canoeing at Lake Kissimmee State Park.

What they're saying:

Wildlife officials believe the gator's thrash was "defensive" and do not believe the gator was provoked by the couple.

"This was not believed to be a predatory incident, but just simply an incident, of a defensive incident where they came upon the alligator, beneath the water's edge," FWC Public Information Officer Bradley Johnson said. "And when the canoe struck it, it caused a reaction."

Where is the alligator now?

On the night of the incident, a contracted nuisance alligator trapper captured an 11-foot-4-inch alligator matching the description of the one involved. Trappers remain on the scene and, on Wednesday, recovered a second alligator measuring between 10 and 11 feet long.

Authorities have not yet confirmed whether either of the alligators were responsible for the attack. FWC officials said they have observed other gators in the water, but none that matched the size range of the one in the attack.

The FWC still has officers and trappers at the scene as public safety is the agency's highest priority.

Friends of victim in shock

What they're saying:

FWC Executive Director Roger Young shared condolences with the family, friends, and community impacted by the woman’s death, calling it a devastating loss and saying, "Our hearts go out to everyone affected by this tragedy."

"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," Young added. "We remain committed to public safety while also balancing our wildlife resources."

Residents of the Citrus Ridge 55-plus community are in shock after Diekema was killed in what officials say was a deadly alligator attack.

Neighbors share heartbreak after deadly alligator attack

We are learning more about a woman who was killed by an alligator earlier this week. It happened when an alligator tipped over the woman's canoe as she and her husband were exploring a Central Florida lake.

"It blows my mind that that happened to her," said neighbor Lynda Miller, who described Diekema as a kind and friendly presence in the community. "Such a sweet lady. Makes you realize none of us are promised tomorrow."

Neighbors, still reeling from the loss, say the attack has shaken their sense of security.

"I see them going up to the pool. They ride their bikes and always say 'Hi,'" Miller said. "If I'm outside, they come over and chat."

Dig deeper:

The tragedy adds to a string of serious alligator attacks in Florida over the past decade.

In 2016, 2-year-old Lane Graves was killed by a gator while playing near a beach at a Disney resort. In 2022, an elderly woman in Englewood was fatally attacked while walking near a retention pond. Last year, a fisherman in Leesburg lost his hand during a gator encounter in the Pennbrooke Fairways community.

The recent incident serves as a grim reminder to Floridians of the potential dangers posed by the state’s alligator population, even in residential areas.

How to stay safe from Florida alligators?

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.

What is Lake Kissimmee State Park?

Dig deeper:

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.

When is alligator mating season in Florida?

Alligator courtship typically begins in early April, with mating occurring during May or June, according to the FWC.

During mating season, female alligators will build a nest and deposit about 32 to 46 eggs in late June or early July. The eggs take about 63 to 68 days to hatch, usually between mid-August and early September.

SOUND ON: Hear massive gator bellow during mating season

Alyssa Rose said she was at the Apopka Wildlife Trail in spring 2022, when she and her family found a huge alligator in the water making a deep bellow sound. She posted the video on TikTok and gave FOX 35 permission to share.

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