iStockphoto / MattCuda
A Florida woman was tragically killed in an alligator attack this week while canoeing in Lake Kissimmee State Park. According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Department, the woman was pulled from her canoe by the alligator. This is the second time someone here in Florida has lost their life this week to an animal attack with another individual losing their life to a bear attack on Monday.
There were two individuals canoeing together on the lake when the alligator attack occurred but the aggressive alligator went for the woman and dragged her into the water.
According to reports, her body was later recovered and she was pronounced deceased on the spot. The FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission) is investigating the incident and presumably, if the alligator which attacked and killed the woman is identified it will be declared a nuisance alligator.
Florida Woman Pulled From Canoe In Deadly Alligator Attack
Some outlets here in Florida are reporting she was canoeing, others are reporting that she was in a kayak. It’s unclear which it was but I’ve seen more outlets say ‘canoeing’ so that is the one I am choosing to go with here.
Alligator Mating Season In Florida
In the video above, they do mention that it is currently alligator mating season here in Florida and that’s true. I’m in Sarasota, Florida (Southwest) where alligator mating season typically runs from about April to June, give or take a few weeks in either direction.
During this period, large ‘bull’ male alligators are known to exhibit particularly aggressive behavior as they jockey for mating rights. Big ‘mama’ alligators are also known to fiercely protect their nests once eggs are deposited.
Alligator mating season is a particularly dangerous time to get close to these wild reptiles and though there is no concrete evidence this factored into the deadly alligator attack, it is certainly a factor that must be considered.
Florida’s Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program is in place to preserve the lives and safety of both the alligators in the wild and humans along with their pets. In order for an alligator to be declared a nuisance alligator, it must be “at least 4 feet in length” and whoever reports the gator must believe that it “poses a threat to people, pets or property.” There is a statewide hotline to report nuisance alligators.
Second Deadly Wildlife Attack This Week Here In Florida
Above, I mentioned this is the second time this week a Floridian has lost their life to an attack from a wild animal. The week started with news that an 88-year-old man and his dog were mauled to death by a bear in SW Florida.
I’m a born-and-raised Floridian. My family on both sides moved here in the 1950s. I was a Boy Scout. Never in my life have I seen a bear in the wild but some outlets seem to have reported this story as if seeing black bears in Florida is an everyday occurrence, which it may be for very specific parts of the state but they are by no means prevalent throughout the state compared to other states in the country.
Content shared from brobible.com.