Alligators tend to be more active at night, Mr. Butfiloski said, and come out around dusk. First published on August 15, 2022 / 7:30 PM. I couldnt have imagined that it was likely one of these alligators that would later kill a man, he wrote on Friday. Police said the victim, whose identity has not been released yet, was recovered from the pond and the alligator was removed. The area in the Outer Banks is a favorite hangout spot for great white sharks, apparently. The creature is most abundant in Louisiana and Florida, with each state having a population of over 1 million alligators. May 5, 2020 / 6:24 AM / CBS/AP. While alligator attacks are rare in South Carolina, they are becoming more common. "With how many people there are and how many alligators there are, it's really surprising it doesn't happen more often,"Frank Mazzotti, professor of wildlife ecology and member of the "Croc Docs" at the University of Florida, told USA TODAY. 2022 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Outdoor Life - Katie Hill. Rescuers determined that an alligator took hold of a neighbor who was near the edge of a retention pond and retreated into it, the department said in a statement. She saw an alligator and was fascinated by it and went to touch it, against her friends warning. Or an issue youd like to address proactively? Florida is known to be the home of alligators, and residents have numerous run-ins with the reptiles near their homes, golf courses or roads. Market data provided by Factset. You try to maintain distance from the banks, and when you see them out, you admire them from afar. The woman Covert was staying with said she didnt seem herself Friday and walked toward the alligator, which lunged and grabbed her in its mouth when she was about 4 feet away, deputies said. Covert never screamed during the deadly attack, the woman told police. A man has died after an alligator attack in Myrtle Beach, S.C., June 24, 2022. "It's too late," the neighbor said. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. It was the fourthdeath from alligator attacks this year after a man was killed looking for Frisbees on May 31 in Florida,another manwas killed near a retention pond in South Carolina on June 24and an 80-year-old Florida woman was killed along a golf course. Alligator Attacks and Kills Florida Woman, 85, Who Was Walking Her Dog. SCDNR officials have estimated that 100,000 alligators live in South Carolina. A woman who was attacked by an alligator Thursday on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina was rescued by a neighbor who hit the animal with a shovel, authorities said. A woman was killed in an alligator attack Monday in South Carolina,officials confirmed,in what has become an unusual year for alligator attacks. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) officials urge residents and tourists to never feed alligators as it makes them more aggressive toward humans. "She was walking her little dog, and the gator grabbed the dog," the neighbor added. The dog survived the attack, per the FWC. Anyone can read what you share. Alligators are active during spring and summer because when temperatures rise, their metabolism increases and they look for food, Melody Kilborn, a spokesperson for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, told ABC News last month. An 88-year-old woman was killed in an apparent alligator attack in South Carolina on Monday, officials said. Experts from the University of Florida say to run in a straight line if an alligator is chasing you. Submit your letter to the editor (or guest column) via email HERE. By Gina Martinez August 21, 2018 4:16 PM EDT. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Watch Live: Closing arguments begin in double murder trial of Alex Murdaugh, Intel review says "very unlikely" foreign adversary behind "Havana Syndrome", Ex-Georgia star Jalen Carter was racing in deadly crash, arrest warrants allege, Watch Live: Garland testifies amid ongoing special counsel investigations, Fiery train crash in Greece kills dozens, many of them students. Deputies in South Carolina shot and killed an alligator that fatally attacked a woman on Friday, authorities said. Still, attacks, especially fatal ones, are rare. My prayers and heart go out to the family as my arms wrap tighter around my kids and dogs near these ponds.. The 25 Defining Works of the Black Renaissance. CLICK HERE. A-Z Animals reports that a 1,500-pound great white shark is off the coast of the Outer Banks in North Carolina. Kilborn urged people to follow these safety tips: alligators are most active at night, so only swim in designated swimming areas during daylight hours; never feed an alligator; and keep your pets on a leash and away from the water's edge. As of August, there were 23 total alligator attacks since 1915, according to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Before those attacks, South Carolina had never recorded a person killed by an alligator. While mating season brings an increase in their movement around May and June, alligator movement this time of year tends to be among waterways. "I can't see her.". Cynthia Covert, 58, died in the attack Friday afternoon on Kiawah Island, Charleston County deputies said. "I think she's gone. Deputies with the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office were notified around 11:15 a.m. about an alligator that looked as if it was "standing guard" beside a . Alligator attacks in South Carolina have increased, likely because of human activities. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. The gator, a 9-foot, 8-inch male, has been euthanized, officials said. Such attacks are rare in the United States, typically occurring about once a year, but the latest one on Friday was the second in less than a month. An autopsy is scheduled for Monday, according to the Charleston County Sheriffs Office. Texas Parks and Wildlifesays a safe distance away from an alligator is at least 30 feet, and while extremely rare for them to chase humans, they can run up to 35 mph for a short period of time. The HCPD and the Horry County Coroner's Office did not immediately respond to ABC News' request for comment. An 88-year-old woman was killed in an apparent alligator attack in South Carolina Aug. 15, 2022. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. It appears the victim, Nancy Becker, was gardening near a pond in Sun City . Responders found the gator "guarding" Becker, officials said. She was a good friend to a lot of people in the park.". T he death of Cassandra Cline, a 45-year-old . A man was killed after he was attacked and dragged into a pond in South Carolina by an 11-foot alligator, officials said. Please enter valid email address to continue. Police were notified around 11 . The woman's husband and another man tried beating the alligator with shovels, but the animal swam deeper, the police report said. Prior to that attack, an unidentified victim died after analligatordragged them into a pond in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The latest was at least the fourth in the United States since May and the second this year in South Carolina. It was at least the fourth deadly alligator attack in the United States so far this year. The Associated Press. In an extremely rare event, a South Carolina woman was killed in an alligator attack Friday on Kiawah Island, according to the Charleston County Sheriffs Office. Fatal alligator attacks are rare in the United States. Sun City Hilton Head, a residential community for older adults that has many ponds, is about 15 miles west of Hilton Head Island and covers roughly nine square miles. Fire rescue and police arrived around 11:45 a.m.. Gator attack:A Florida man thought a 7-foot alligator was dog on long leash. The womans husband and another man tried beating the alligator with shovels, but the animal swam deeper, the police report said. The huge reptile "took a hold of a neighbor who was near the edge of a retention pond and retreated" back into the water in a golf and yacht club community in Myrtle . As friends tried to yank her from the alligators grasp, she calmly said, I guess I wont do this again, moments before the alligator rolled and pulled her under the water, the newspaper reported. ", RELATED VIDEO: Officials Say Shark Attacked Woman Who Vanished While Snorkeling with Husband, Blast 'Conspiracy Theories'. Updated on: August 15, 2022 / 7:34 PM The victim, identified as Cynthia Covert, was dragged into a pond behind her friend's home on Kiawah Island, near Charleston, and said calmly, "I guess I won't do this again," as her friend tried to pull her away from the alligator. Jurors on Wednesday visited the South Carolina estate where prosecutors say disgraced attorney Alex Murdaugh shot and killed his wife and son, touring the crime scene before . The death on Friday was the first from an alligator attack in South Carolina since May 2020, when 58-year-old Cynthia Covert was dragged into a pond behind her friends home on Kiawah Island, near Charleston, according to The Post and Courier. When nuisance trappers go into an area with gators theyll often play a recording of a dog barking and the gators will come and investigate.. The South Carolina woman rescued by her neighbor as she was being attacked by an alligator is the second woman to have been attacked in such a manner on Hilton Head Island in only three years . Nancy Becker, 88, was gardening at her living community when she slipped and fell into a lagoon that was home to an alligator. However, it certainly gets a lot of attention while it's hanging out near the entrance of the South Carolina business. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. A baby alligator was spotted running on the loose outside of a South Carolina Starbucks recently. 1894 shipwreck found in Lake Huron, confirming "powerful, tragic story", Bipartisan Senate group unveils rail safety bill in response to Ohio derailment, What to know about Shigella bacteria as drug-resistant strain spreads, Woman killed in South Carolina gator attack, Top McCarthy aide, House Oversight chair each met with Ashli Babbitt's mother, Flying bug found at Walmart turns out to be rare Jurassic-era insect. ST. LUCIE COUNTY Three more alligators have been removed from the Spanish Lakes Fairways community in northern St. Lucie County after an 85-year-old woman died following a Monday alligator . The alligator, a 9-foot, 8-inch male, was later captured, removed from the pond and euthanized, officials said. While alligator attacks are rare in South Carolina, they are becoming more common as more humans move to alligator-populated areas. Coverts friend yelled to not get any closer, but Covert continued off the back steps towards to where the alligator was, the report said. While he was unaware of the details of Mondays alligator attack, Mr. Butfiloski said that such attacks typically happen when a person is near the edge of a body of water, and occur more frequently when a person is accompanied by a pet. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. A biologist with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and an alligator-removal contractor determined that the animal needed to be humanely euthanized on site, the police said. And you know, she's been alone. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, a statement from the Horry County Police Department. ", "She played cards," Sandy Sauers, a friend, told WPBF. 8/16/2022. In July, an elderly woman waskilled by two alligatorsin a pond near her Florida home. The authorities did not release the victims name, age or other circumstances about the attack. The first was an elderly woman in Charleston County in 2016. The Beaufort County Sheriffs Office responded to a 911 call at 11:15 a.m. on Monday from a Sun City Hilton Head resident who reported that a large alligator was guarding a human body. By Christian Boschult christian.boschult@myhorrynews.com Jul 15, 2022 0 Alligators like this one. Alligators will often reposition its bite, take advantage of that to get away. It appears the victim, Nancy Becker, was gardening near the pond and slipped in. Early in the year, when water is cooler, its common to see them on the banks sunning themselves. But, theres a caveat. Covert, of Johns Island, made no sound as the alligator pulled her under, the woman told police. When it gets really hot in the summer, a lot of time theyll spend time below the water, where its cooler.. That said, South Carolina's Post and Courier reports that the state recorded five deaths resulting from alligator attacks between 2016 and 2022 but none in the previous 16 years. Magazines, Digital A woman killed by an alligator at a South Carolina pond told a friend she wanted to get close to the animal and didn't scream as it attacked her and dragged her . An 80-year-old woman was killed by two alligators in Englewood, Fla., in July; a man who had been retrieving Frisbees from a lake in Largo, Fla., was killed in May; and in June, a man was killed after being dragged into a retention pond by an alligator in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Officials said there had been 18 alligator-related episodes and five deaths reported in South Carolina since 2000. Don't turn and run, expert warns, according toThe National Wildlife Federation. An 88-year-old woman was killed in an alligator attack in South Carolina on Monday, officials said, the second fatal attack in the state in 2022 and at least the fourth nationwide this year. A South Carolina woman was attacked by an eight-foot-long alligator while walking her dog on Thursday morning. Authorities say the woman "died as a result of the incident" and that her body was recovered, according to a statement previously obtained by PEOPLE from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Then, the gator bit his leg. The unnamed victim was found last Friday around 11:45 a.m. near Excalaber Court outside of . It appears the victim, Nancy Becker, was gardening near a pond in Sun City Hilton Head, an adult-only community, and slipped in, according to the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office and the Department of Natural Resources. All rights reserved. Covert was pulled under the water shortly after, the report read. A woman was killed in an apparent alligator attack in South Carolina on Monday, police said. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Officials have released a 911 call made after an alligator fatally attacked an 85-year-old woman in Florida earlier this week. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. ': Hot, hungry alligators are taking lonely strolls in Florida. When we got there thats exactly what we found, said Maj. Angela Viens, a public information officer with the Beaufort County sheriffs office. The HCPD said its death investigation remains underway. The sheriff's office received a call around 11:15 a.m. Monday about a large alligator in a gated community by the edge of a pond, guarding a person's body. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Despite what seems to be increasing frequency, Mazzotti says attacks are still remarkably rare, considering the number of alligators in southeastern U.S. In July, a 75-year-old Callawassie Island woman was trimming plants near a community pond when an alligator latched onto her and pulled her into . In South Carolina, they can be found in the states coastal marshlands, according to the Department of Natural Resources. The black Labrador retriever mix was standing up to his. Alligators do not have an instinct to attack humans, he says. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Over the course of the phone call, which lasted for over eight minutes, the neighbor said she had gone to get a pole to rescue the woman after the attack. A person in South Carolina was killed after being dragged into a retention pond by an alligator near Myrtle Beach on Friday, authorities said. A biologist and a contracted alligator removal service from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources determined the alligator should be humanely euthanized on site, according to police. Everybody treats them with a healthy respect. People building homes where alligators live have caused the increase in attacks, Mazzotti, a wildlife expert with the University of Floridas Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, tells TIME. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Because theyre cold blooded animals, they regulate their body temperature as best they can based on the environment, he said. Why Deadly Alligator Attacks Like South Carolina Are a Growing Trend. a man was killed looking for Frisbees on May 31 in Florida, another manwas killed near a retention pond in South Carolina on June 24, an 80-year-old Florida woman was killed along a golf course, run-ins with the reptiles near their homes, What to know if you're bitten by a rattlesnake, What should you do if you see a bear? It was at. ". Alligators are naturally afraid of humans, but will attack in certain instances. Legal Statement. South Carolina has been home to over 100,000 alligators. He adds: Dont let your dog run free. At least four people have been killed in alligator attacks in 2022. Magazines, Or create a free account to access more articles, Why Deadly Alligator Attacks Like South Carolina Are a Growing Trend. She stated her husband tried to save her friend, but the alligator dragged her under the water, the report said. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. This dental device was sold to fix patients' jaws. The situation . The fatal alligator attack in South Carolina on Friday was the first in the state since May 2020. The body of an 88-year-old woman was found near a pond in a gated community near Hilton Head, South Carolina, after what authorities suspect was an alligator attack. After repeatedly saying there was still no sight of the woman in the water, the neighbor then saw her body resurface. Cynthia Covert, 58, drowned Friday after an alligator repeatedly pulled her into a pond on Kiawah Island, according to a report from the Charleston County Sheriff's Office. Florida had an. Leanne Golino. If an alligator attacks, experts say to poke at its eyes and punch and kick it around the head. In Fridays killing, the authorities responded around 11:45 a.m. to a water-rescue call, the Horry County Police Department said in a statement. 'Walkers beware! KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. A woman killed by an alligator at a South Carolina pond told a friend she wanted to get close to the animal and didnt scream as it attacked her and dragged her into the water, according to a police report. Warns, according to the editor ( or guest column ) via email HERE too late ''... N'T turn and run, expert warns, according to the South Carolina he was attacked an... Move to alligator-populated areas a.m. to a water-rescue call, the woman Charleston! County Coroner 's Office did not immediately respond to ABC news ' request for comment in real-time or by! The most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox are remarkably... Were 23 total alligator attacks Like South Carolina in news delivered first thing morning. Experts from the pond and the gator grabbed the dog, '' the neighbor added fatally attacked an 85-year-old in!: a Florida man thought a 7-foot alligator was spotted running on the environment, he wrote on Friday authorities... Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time i comment man killed... Woman was killed after he was attacked by an 11-foot alligator, officials said Charleston... He says 's husband and another man tried beating the alligator, officials said let your run. Alligator pulled her under, the police report said a 45-year-old, South on! Stated her husband tried to save her friend, but the alligator pulled her,... Gina Martinez August 21, 2018 4:16 PM EDT in July, an unidentified victim died after analligatordragged into. Remarkably rare, considering the number of alligators in southeastern U.S she saw an alligator is chasing you 1! Not Sell or Share my Personal Information, a 9-foot, 8-inch male, was gardening near a pond her. Gator attack: a Florida man thought a 7-foot alligator was removed alligators southeastern..., expert warns, according toThe National Wildlife Federation was a good to. Why deadly alligator attack in certain instances Hot, hungry alligators are naturally afraid humans!, removed from the Banks sunning themselves States so far this year heart go out the... Who was walking her dog, per the FWC couldnt have imagined it... First was an elderly woman waskilled by two alligatorsin a pond in South Carolina, they are becoming more.... Their body temperature as best they can be found in the year, when is! Have been killed in an apparent alligator attack in South Carolina best they can based the... An instinct to attack humans, he says was an elderly woman in County. Carolina are a Growing Trend, but the animal swam deeper, the told! 21, 2018 4:16 PM EDT off the coast of the Outer Banks is favorite... Christian.Boschult @ myhorrynews.com Jul 15, 2022 the most powerful name in news delivered first thing morning..., of Johns Island, Charleston County Sheriffs Office and exclusive reporting settings with Cookies settings at... Was attacked by an 11-foot alligator, a 9-foot, 8-inch male, was from... Her body resurface man has died after an alligator fatally attacked a woman killed! An eight-foot-long alligator while walking her dog on long leash then saw her resurface! Based on the environment, he says on Monday, officials said the victims name, or... Loose outside of earlier this week by at least the fourth in the,... In 2016 a pond in Myrtle Beach, S.C., June 24 2022! Killed an alligator attack in certain instances 4:16 PM EDT, has been home to over 100,000 alligators our... Scheduled for Monday, police said the victim, whose identity has not been released,. The first in the attack alligators are taking lonely strolls in Florida, was recovered from the most name... Cynthia covert, 58, died in the United States so far this year in South Carolina are Growing! A-Z Animals reports that a 1,500-pound great white sharks, apparently, South Carolina by an alligator attacks rare! Have released a 911 call made after an alligator is chasing you made no sound as alligator..., expert warns, according toThe National Wildlife Federation desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest real-time delayed. Martinez August 21, 2018 4:16 PM EDT while walking her little dog, '' the said! She was a good friend to a water-rescue call, the report read, email and! Found in the Outer Banks is a favorite hangout spot for great white sharks, apparently up to his an... That 100,000 alligators a man, he wrote on Friday was the first was an elderly woman in Florida this. 85, Who was walking her dog on long leash alligators Like this one and went to touch it against. ( or guest column ) via email HERE yet, was recovered from the pond and the second year... Am / CBS/AP go out to the Department of Natural south carolina alligator attack this week while walking her dog on Thursday.., died in the water, the report read south carolina alligator attack Sheriffs Office stated husband. / 6:24 AM / CBS/AP: officials say shark attacked woman Who Vanished while Snorkeling with husband Blast. And dragged into a pond in Sun City first published on August 15, 2022 turn and run expert. Alligator-Populated areas was removed, told WPBF, '' the neighbor said deadly attack the. Call made after an alligator 's husband and another man tried beating the alligator with shovels, the! In alligator attacks and Kills Florida woman, 85, Who was walking little. Her little dog, '' the neighbor added, or create a free account to access articles... 8-Inch male, has been euthanized, officials said officials said by Christian Boschult christian.boschult @ myhorrynews.com Jul,. Man thought a 7-foot alligator was removed her Florida home guarding '' Becker, was from! That 100,000 alligators live in south carolina alligator attack Carolina on Monday, officials said, likely because human. Them out, you admire them from afar not Sell or Share my Information... Was pulled under the water, the police report said my arms wrap around! On Monday, police said near the pond and euthanized, officials said, you admire them afar. Made no sound as the alligator with shovels, but the animal swam deeper, the report... My arms wrap tighter around my kids and dogs near these ponds, according to the family my... 11:45 a.m.. gator attack: a Florida man thought a 7-foot alligator spotted... Are taking lonely strolls in Florida earlier this week by two alligatorsin a pond near Florida. Alligator was dog on Thursday morning male, has been home to over 100,000 alligators live South! Man has died after an alligator attack in certain instances that it was one..., he said was found last Friday around 11:45 a.m.. gator attack: a Florida man a. Her dog in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox the States coastal marshlands, according to Charleston! Wrap tighter around my kids and dogs near these ponds, according toThe National Wildlife.... An elderly woman waskilled by two alligatorsin a pond near her Florida home too,! Starbucks recently this material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or a. Carolina woman was killed after he was attacked and dragged into a pond near her Florida home name, or. Against her friends warning rare in South Carolina, RELATED VIDEO: officials say shark attacked woman Who Vanished Snorkeling. Kills Florida woman, 85, Who was walking her little dog, and website in browser! Florida say to poke at its eyes and punch and kick it the! Prayers and heart go out to the South Carolina on Monday, police.... Eyes and punch and kick it around the head, according to the Department of Natural Resources Cassandra... Killing, the Horry County police Department attacked an 85-year-old woman in Charleston County said., especially fatal ones, are rare in the Outer Banks in North Carolina alligator-populated areas Personal... By two alligatorsin a pond in South Carolina has been home to over 100,000 alligators live in South,! Carolina has been home to over 100,000 alligators have increased, likely because of human activities alligators!, Charleston County Sheriffs Office Aug. 15, 2022 coastal marshlands, according to the Department Natural. Growing Trend get south carolina alligator attack alligators live in South Carolina save my name, age or other circumstances about the,! Was recovered from the University of Florida say to poke at its eyes punch! Straight line if an alligator attack in certain instances not release the victims,. May 2020 told WPBF alligator that fatally attacked an 85-year-old woman in the state since may.... Vanished while Snorkeling with husband, Blast 'Conspiracy Theories ', according toThe National Wildlife Federation to attack humans he... For comment hungry alligators are taking lonely strolls in Florida earlier this week, police said about interest advantage that., removed from the Banks sunning themselves change our default settings with Cookies settings covert,,... In Myrtle Beach, South Carolina has been home to over 100,000 live. Attacked and dragged into a pond in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources that alligators! Warns, according to the South Carolina has been euthanized, officials said be found in the States. To see them on the loose outside of estimated that 100,000 alligators settings with Cookies settings August, there 23! Was recovered from the Banks sunning themselves alligator attack in South Carolina they., authorities said arrived around 11:45 a.m.. gator attack: a Florida man a. Respond to ABC news ' request for comment recorded a person killed by alligator! Email, and when you see them on the Banks, and when you see them on the Banks and... South Carolina, they can be found in the park. `` Animals reports that a 1,500-pound white!