Photo credit: Tracey Rock (https://commons.wikimedia.org/)
A woman tragically lost her life after being pulled from a canoe by an alligator while paddling on a well-known fishing lake in Florida.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the incident occurred shortly after 4 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, near the mouth of Tiger Creek, where it flows into Lake Kissimmee, located south of Orlando.
The woman disappeared into the water during the attack, and her body was later recovered in the vicinity, authorities said.
At the time of the attack, she was accompanied by another individual who was not harmed, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Initial reports suggested the pair were in a kayak, which has an enclosed hull, but FWC officials later clarified they believe it was a canoe, which features an open-top design.
Details regarding the specific nature of the attack or information about the alligator involved have not been disclosed.
However, a licensed nuisance alligator trapper has been deployed to the area as part of the investigation.
Emergency responders from both the FWC and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office took part in the recovery and response efforts.
