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Tragic Alligator Attack Claims Life of Canoeing Woman in Florida

Florida Lake with Canoe

News Summary

A tragic alligator attack on May 6 near Lake Kissimmee claimed the life of 61-year-old Cynthia Diekema while she was canoeing with her husband. The couple’s canoe capsized after hitting the alligator, leading to Cynthia’s fatal encounter. Despite rescue efforts, FWC officials later recovered her body. This incident marks the first alligator attack death in Florida since February 2023. The FWC is investigating the case and reinforcing public safety measures concerning alligator interactions in natural habitats.

Florida – A tragic alligator attack took the life of 61-year-old Cynthia Diekema from Davenport while she was canoeing with her husband on May 6. The incident occurred around 4 p.m. near Tiger Creek’s entrance to Lake Kissimmee, as the couple navigated their 14-foot canoe.

Cynthia and her husband unexpectedly passed over an alligator that was concealed beneath approximately 2.5 feet of water. According to officials from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the alligator thrashed in response to the disturbance, causing the canoe to capsize and both individuals to fall into the water. Unfortunately, Cynthia landed directly on top of the alligator, resulting in a fatal bite.

During the chaos, Cynthia’s husband attempted to intervene to save her but was unsuccessful. A Computer-Aided Dispatch report indicated that a call for emergency assistance was made at 3:59 p.m., with the FWC requesting support shortly afterward at 4:05 p.m. Eyewitness accounts suggest that the last sighting of Cynthia, relayed by her husband, was as she was being held by the alligator before disappearing beneath the water.

Search and rescue efforts quickly mobilized, including aerial support from a helicopter and drone surveillance, in an effort to locate Cynthia in the vast waterway. At approximately 5:04 p.m., deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office spotted her body, which the alligator still clutched. Following this discovery, FWC officials swiftly recovered Cynthia’s body as the alligator retreated below the surface.

In the aftermath of the attack, FWC personnel initiated trapping procedures and seized two alligators from the vicinity, with one measuring 11 feet 4 inches—matching the description of the alligator involved in the attack. A second alligator, estimated to be between 10 and 11 feet long, was also captured and subsequently euthanized. The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under active investigation as officials evaluate the alligators’ potential involvement.

Statistics from the FWC highlight a concerning trend, reporting 487 unprovoked alligator bites on humans in Florida from 1984 to 2024, of which 27 resulted in fatalities. This incident marks the state’s first alligator attack death since February 2023. Despite the alarming nature of this incident, officials emphasize that alligator attacks are exceedingly rare, reminding the public to remain vigilant and cautious around wildlife in natural settings.

The FWC oversees a statewide nuisance alligator program, which regulates the tagging and removal of alligators that pose a threat to public safety. In light of recent events and heightened concerns regarding human safety, the agency is set to increase the allotment for the upcoming alligator hunting season. Concerned residents are encouraged to utilize the Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-392-4286 for assistance with alligator-related issues.

This heartbreaking incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent risks associated with interacting with wildlife in Florida’s natural habitats, and it calls for greater awareness and precaution among outdoor enthusiasts.