Florida kayaking tragedy: Woman killed in alligator attack
A tragic alligator attack occurred in Florida, United States, resulting in the death of a 61-year-old woman. Her husband witnessed the dramatic events.
During a kayaking trip in Florida, United States, a tragic accident occurred. Sixty-one-year-old Cynthia Diekema from Davenport was attacked by an alligator, which overturned their kayak. Her husband, who witnessed the incident, unsuccessfully tried to fend off the predator.
As highlighted by the German newspaper "Bild," the tragedy happened near the mouth of Tiger Creek into Lake Kissimmee, south of Orlando.
The couple was kayaking through shallow, 2.5-foot-deep waters when the unexpected attack occurred. Investigators suspect the kayak passed directly over the alligator, which may have triggered its aggression.
After the incident, animal trappers captured an alligator over 11 feet long that might have been responsible for the attack. Another large animal, which might have been involved in the incident, was also captured.
Statistics on alligator attacks in Florida
Alligator attacks in Florida are not uncommon. Since 1948, there have been 487 unprovoked bites, 339 of which were serious, and 27 resulted in death. The last fatal attack occurred in February 2023, when an 85-year-old woman was killed while walking her dog in Fort Pierce.
Spring is a time when alligators are particularly active due to mating season. About 1.3 million of these predators live in Florida, increasing the risk of encounters with them.
American alligators in the wild live on average from 35 to 50 years. However, some individuals may live to be 70 years or more. In captivity, where they do not face predators or food scarcity, they can live up to 80 years.
While alligators are fascinating animals, caution should be exercised when observing them. Never approach them too closely or feed them. In case of an encounter with an alligator, it is best to maintain a distance and not disturb its natural behavior.
