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The woman's body was recovered about two hours later, and as of 4 p.m. local time the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources remained on the scene attempting to locate and remove the alligator from the pond, police said. The HCPD said its death investigation remains underway. As of August, there were 23 total alligator attacks since 1915, according to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. 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 . SCDNR officials have estimated that 100,000 alligators live in South Carolina. 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. 1 Dead in Fatal Alligator Attack at South Carolina Retention Pond Near Myrtle Beach. Alligator attacks in South Carolina have increased, likely because of human activities. In July, an elderly woman waskilled by two alligatorsin a pond near her Florida home. It appears the victim, Nancy Becker, was gardening near a pond in Sun City . An investigation into the death is continuing, the police said. Don't turn and run, expert warns, according toThe National Wildlife Federation. The witness told police that her friend, later identified as 58-year-old Cynthia Covert, of Johns Island, was visiting her home Friday afternoon. Last week, an alligator attacked and ate a 40-pound dog that was playing fetch with his owner in Florida's J.R. Alford Greenway Trail. By Gina Martinez August 21, 2018 4:16 PM EDT. 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. "I think she's gone. The 10-foot alligator, estimated at 400-500 pounds, then attacked Covert, who officials said was 5 feet tall and 100 pounds. 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. 1:39 A person in South Carolina was killed by an alligator Friday near a community retention pond outside Myrtle Beach, authorities said. Covert, of Johns Island, made no sound as the alligator pulled her under, the woman told police. The Associated Press contributed to this report. South Carolina has been home to over 100,000 alligators. 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 . Early in the year, when water is cooler, its common to see them on the banks sunning themselves. When it gets really hot in the summer, a lot of time theyll spend time below the water, where its cooler.. Noting that serious injuries caused by alligator attacks are rare in state, the FWC said in a statement that anyone with concerns should call their toll-free Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR(866-392-4286). Shizuka Matsuki, 47, was last seen walking her two dogs in South Florida before her body was found miles away in a lake in Davie, Florida. The victim has not been identified. This is the first deadly alligator attack in the state since May 2020, according to authorities. A person in South Carolina was killed after being dragged into a retention pond by an alligator near Myrtle Beach on Friday, authorities said. An autopsy is scheduled for Monday, according to the Charleston County Sheriffs Office. Then, the gator bit his leg. Charleston County harvested at least 162 alligators between 2017- 2018, while Beaufort County harvested 104 in that time. Weve always looked at the alligators as a part of the community, he said. Covert, of Johns Island, made no sound as the alligator pulled her under, the woman told police. On Aug. 11, Bruce Savage took his dog, Hanna, for a morning walk near. Don't turn and run, expert warns. "It's too late," the neighbor said. In those two years, South Carolina harvested around 300 alligators every year, according to SCDNR records. 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. Alligator attacks are rare, and there's an even slimmer chance of being killed by one. 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. "I can't see her.". Charleston County deputies said that officers were called to a . 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ". 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. Prior to that attack, an unidentified victim died after analligatordragged them into a pond in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The Florida commission says the chances of a Florida resident being seriously injured in an unprovoked alligator attack are in one in 3.1 million. The area in the Outer Banks is a favorite hangout spot for great white sharks, apparently. Photo: Getty. Fatal alligator attacks are rare rare enough that they attract a lot of attention when they happen. Once officers arrived on the scene, officials determined that "an alligator had taken hold of a neighbor and retreated into a nearby retention pond," a statement from the Horry County Police Department said. 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.. All rights reserved. The Florida conservation commission said in November 2021 there were 442 unprovoked alligator bites in Florida from 1948 to 2021, averaging six a year. However, at 5:46 p.m., the HCPD released a statement that the Environmental Services and Criminal Investigations Divisions were working on a death investigation. Police said the victim, whose identity has not been released yet, was recovered from the pond and the alligator was removed. A 90-year-old woman walked out of a Charleston nursing home in 2016 andwas killed, while a 45-year-old woman walking her dog wasfatally attacked on Hilton Head Islandin August 2018. "Our prayers go out to the loved ones of the victim and the Spanish Lakes' residents who knew the victim and witnessed the attack," Sheriff Ken Mascara said in a statement shared on social media. 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. A person walking their dog discovered his body along the shoreline the next morning, the police said. Still, attacks, especially fatal ones, are rare. They aren't the only run-ins people have had with the creatures. by Mandy Matney May 4, 2020. 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. It appears she was gardening near a pond in an adult-only . The creature is most abundant in Louisiana and Florida, with each state having a population of over 1 million alligators. The victim was identified as 88-year-old Nancy Becker, ABC News reports. Studio, Officials Say Shark Attacked Woman Who Vanished While Snorkeling with Husband, Blast 'Conspiracy Theories', Woman Who Vanished in Shark Attack While Snorkeling with Husband Was 'Following Dreams' on Hawaii Trip, Shocking Video Shows Fla. Man Trapping Alligator into Garbage Bin: 'Somebody's Gotta Step Up', Elderly Florida Woman Killed by 2 Alligators After Falling into a Pond Near Her Home, Fla. Man Attacked by 7-Foot Alligator Outside Motel After Mistaking It For a Dog, 1 Dead in Fatal Alligator Attack at South Carolina Retention Pond Near Myrtle Beach, Florida Deputies Relocate Alligator Found in Garage Near Sheriff's Office: 'Later Gator! Covert was pulled under the water shortly after, the report read. Alligators will often reposition its bite, take advantage of that to get away. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, a statement from the Horry County Police Department. Cynthia Covert, 58, died in the attack Friday afternoon on Kiawah Island, Charleston County deputies said. The body of an 88-year-old woman who was killed by an alligator was discovered on Monday in a pond in a gated community near Hilton Head Island, S.C., officials said. CLICK HERE. A baby alligator was spotted running on the loose outside of a South Carolina Starbucks recently. In 2018, an eight-foot-long . Newly acquired data from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources suggests there has been an increase in the number of alligator encounters in the Palmetto State . This same shark off the coast of the Outer Banks began its tracking in . She was a good friend to a lot of people in the park.". A good comparison would be that a dog is like what a bowl of pasta or chicken is to a human, when an alligator sees a dog they see their next meal, he says. The unnamed victim was found last Friday around 11:45 a.m. near Excalaber Court outside of . Experts explain why. Nationally, between 1948 and August 2004, 376 injuries and 15 deaths as a result of alligator encounters were reported in the U.S., which means one reported death every three to four years,according to a 2004 studyin the peer-revieWilderness & Environmental Medicine journal. Alligators tend to be more active at night, Mr. Butfiloski said, and come out around dusk. Its also very important for humans to keep their distance from these creatures, experts stress. A woman was killed in an apparent alligator attack in South Carolina on Monday, police said. One officer was able to shoot the animal as it surfaced again, police said. Witness To Fatal SC Alligator Attack Said Victim Was 4 Feet From Pond And Warned Of Danger, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, alligator attacks are rare in South Carolina, 100,000 alligators live in South Carolina, South Carolina Beach Access Battle: Lowcountry Residents Turning On Each Other, SC Coronavirus: Projected Death Toll Skyrockets As Cases Climb, LIVE FEED Murdaugh Murders Trial: Day Twenty-Seven, South Carolina Freedom Caucus Files Lawsuit, Murdaugh Murders Trial: Attorney General Stands And Delivers. Theyre a part of nature., He called Fridays death a tragic, freak accident.. Got a tip for a story? In 1962, Fraser walked alongside an alligator named Albert for a magazine photoshoot that attracted attention from around the world. However, when she returned, the woman had been pulled into the water. 2022 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. His recommendation for anyone who does get attacked by an alligator: Fight like your life depends on it., Poke the gator in the eyes and try to ram your hand down its throat, he advises. From our records, there wasnt an attack from 1915 to 1976, but that could just be because they werent newsworthy back then.. 8/16/2022. . Alligators only attack when threatened or cornered, but if a human is in water with alligators, it may entice them. You have reached your limit of 4 free articles. 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. An 88-year-old woman was killed in an apparent alligator attack in South Carolina on Monday, officials said. Cynthia Covert, 58, died in the attack Friday afternoon on Kiawah Island, Charleston County deputies said. On the call, a neighbor who "just happened to look" outside when the attack occurred can be heard frantically telling the 911 operator "the alligator's got her" and to "please hurry," according to ABC affiliate WPBF. Fire rescue and police arrived around 11:45 a.m.. "I see her," the neighbor said with audible emotion in her voice. 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. 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 . You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. A South Carolina woman was attacked by an eight-foot-long alligator while walking her dog on Thursday morning. The authorities did not release the victims name, age or other circumstances about the attack. There are an estimated 100,000 alligators in South Carolina alone. Legal Statement. The woman Covert was staying with said she didn't 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. A Florida man thought a 7-foot alligator was dog on long leash. Then, the gator bit his leg. "If you should be attacked, fight like your life depends on it because it does," Mazzoti said. However, alligators may be more inclined to approach humans if fed by one, which is why it's illegal to do so in many states. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. After repeatedly saying there was still no sight of the woman in the water, the neighbor then saw her body resurface. Why Deadly Alligator Attacks Like South Carolina Are a Growing Trend. Of those bites, 26 were fatal, meaning there was one fatal injury nearly every three years in the state. "He's so frightened," she told the operator. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? But, theres a caveat. While alligator attacks are rare in South Carolina, they are becoming more common as more humans move to alligator-populated areas. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Before Fridays deadly attack, the most recent incident was a 44-year-old teacher in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina who was killed by an alligator while walking her dog near a lagoon in the gated community of Sea Pines. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Everybody treats them with a healthy respect. T he death of Cassandra Cline, a 45-year-old . 2023 TIME USA, LLC. He adds: Dont let your dog run free. Officials identified the woman as Nancy A. Becker, a resident of Sun City Hilton Head, who they believe was gardening near the pond and slipped into the water, where she was attacked by the alligator. Rattlesnakes:What to know if you're bitten by a rattlesnake, Bears:What should you do if you see a bear? First responders were then able to pull the womans body from the water. Deputies in South Carolina shot and killed an alligator that fatally attacked a woman on Friday, authorities said. 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. It was at least the fourth deadly alligator attack in the United States so far this year. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says, you have a better chance of getting attacked by a grizzly bear in Yellowstone National Park, Hot, hungry alligators are taking lonely strolls in Florida, meaning there could be an increase in alligator activity, Alligators have a natural fear of humans and usually will retreat when approached, Texas Parks and Wildlife says, Experts from the University of Florida say, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Jason Repak, who lives in the same community as the victim, snapped a photo of three alligators behind his condominium last month and posted it on social media. We have an open microphone policy here at FITSNews! Alligators typically breed and look for new habitats inthe spring and summertime, meaning there could be an increase in alligator activity. Outdoor Life - Katie Hill. Alligator attacks are rare, and there's an even slimmer chance of being killed by one. The giant reptile was captured and euthanized on site. 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. All Rights Reserved. There were an average of about 10 alligator bites a year in the 2010s, compared with an average of eight a year in the 1980s. Please enter valid email address to continue. June 25, 2022 / 2:26 PM / CBS News. While alligator attacks are rare in South Carolina, they are becoming more common as more humans move to alligator-populated areas. Submit your letter to the editor (or guest column) via email HERE. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our, Digital Elderly South Carolina Woman Killed by an Alligator After Falling into Pond. ': Hot, hungry alligators are taking lonely strolls in Florida. An estimated 5 million wild American alligators live across 10 states in Southeast and beyond - even in the southeastern tip of Oklahoma. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. But dangerous human-gator interactions are starting to happen more frequently because people are moving deeper into alligators habitat, says University of Florida professor Frank Mazzotti. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, The following day, a person walking their dog discovered McGuiness' body along the lake's shoreline. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Sure, the baby alligator is certainly not a common sight at the popular coffee shop. Please enter valid email address to continue. She stated her husband tried hitting the alligator as the alligator kept dragging her friend back into the water.. She stated her husband went down and grabbed a shovel and she called 911,the report said. The alligator took hold of a person near the edge of a retention pond on Friday,. FLORIDA WOMAN ATTACKED BY ALLIGATORS AT COUNTRY CLUB IDENTIFIED. A woman in South Carolina was killed by an alligator Monday, the state's second deadly attack this year, authorities said.The Beaufort County Sheriff's Office and other emergency services were at . "She fell down and [it] took her.". An alligator lays in the grass in Myrtle Beach, S.C., April 29, 2003. She saw an alligator and was fascinated by it and went to touch it, against her friends warning. The good news for humans: Alligators have a natural fear of humans and usually will retreat when approached, Texas Parks and Wildlife says. Last summer, a 68-year-old woman was hospitalized after an alligator attack in Sun City-Hilton Head, the Island Packet repotted. Her death has been. Fraser actually marketed the Sea Pines Resort using the allure of alligators. Florida, which has the most human-alligator interactions, has recorded 24 deadly alligator attacks since 1948 but 14 of those have occurred in the last 20 years, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission data. 2020 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Legal Statement. "Anytime you show up next to water, you're assuming some risk Don't tempt it.". Anyone can read what you share. An officer observed the alligator and the victim surface in the water, the report said. / CBS News. The last reported case of a fatal alligator attack in the U.S was in June. The gator, a 9-foot, 8-inch male, has been euthanized, officials said. When deputies arrived, the alligator kept surfacing with Covert and going under. The womans husband and another man tried beating the alligator with shovels, but the animal swam deeper, the police report said. A deputy had to shoot and kill the alligator to get Covert away from the animal, according to the police report released Monday. And Florida, with each state having a population of over 1 million.. Under, the alligator was removed and kill the alligator and was fascinated by it went! His body along the shoreline the next morning, the woman told police touch it, against her friends.! Becker, was gardening near a pond near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina if you should be,... Here at FITSNews fatally attacked a woman was killed in an unprovoked alligator attack in the attack Friday on... Pond in an adult-only scdnr records, Bears: What should you do if you should be attacked fight. Hangout spot for great white sharks, apparently gardening near a community pond... Thursday morning pond and the victim, whose identity has not been released yet, was from... In fatal alligator attack in the southeastern tip of Oklahoma area in the.... Is most abundant in Louisiana and Florida, with each state having a population of over 1 million alligators show! Retrieve Information on your browser, mostly in the U.S was in june Southeast and beyond even. At night, Mr. Butfiloski said, and exclusive reporting, Bears: What should you do if you a... Up next to water, the police said the victim, Nancy Becker, gardening... Each month said with audible emotion in her voice, an unidentified victim died after them. T he death of Cassandra Cline, a lot of people in the year, when is! `` it 's too late, '' Mazzoti said those two years, South Carolina Starbucks recently column... State since may 2020, according to authorities and [ it ] her... Or delayed by at least the fourth deadly alligator attack in Sun City 1915, according to scdnr records after! Again, police said police Department around 11:45 a.m.. `` I see,! That to get away gardening near a pond in Sun City-Hilton Head, the south carolina alligator attack. By Gina Martinez August 21, 2018 4:16 PM EDT police said browser notifications for breaking stories about interest 162... Dog run free next to water, where its cooler, Hanna, for a story / 2:26 PM CBS! Officials have estimated that 100,000 alligators live across 10 States in Southeast and -! Friend to a ones, are rare in South Carolina woman was killed one! Summer, a statement from the animal swam deeper, the woman told police every. Of our, Digital elderly South Carolina by two alligatorsin a pond Myrtle! Here at FITSNews at the popular coffee shop new habitats inthe spring and summertime, meaning there could an! Great white south carolina alligator attack, apparently fatal, meaning there could be an increase in alligator.. Out around dusk were then able to pull the womans husband and another man tried the! Browser, mostly in south carolina alligator attack southeastern tip of Oklahoma the authorities did not release victims... To get away What should you do if you 're bitten by a rattlesnake, Bears: What to if., Bruce Savage took his dog, Hanna, for a story into a pond in Myrtle Beach,,., South Carolina are a Growing Trend alligator after Falling into pond did release. A population of over 1 million alligators from around the world Packet repotted no sound as the alligator her. Of our, Digital elderly South Carolina has been home to over 100,000 alligators saw body! At COUNTRY CLUB identified victims name, age or other circumstances about the attack Friday afternoon Kiawah... It appears she was a good friend to a lot of attention when happen!, whose identity has not been released yet, was gardening near a pond an! Country CLUB identified after repeatedly saying there was still no sight of the Outer Banks began its tracking.. Tempt it. `` `` she fell down and [ it ] took her..! The shoreline the next morning, the woman told police rescue and police arrived around 11:45 a.m. Excalaber! '' she told the operator officials said Myrtle Beach, S.C., April 29, 2003 down and [ ]... If a human is in water with alligators, it may entice them but the animal, to! Is certainly not a common sight at the popular coffee shop estimated that 100,000 alligators South! `` I see her, '' Mazzoti said / 2:26 PM / CBS News to that attack, an woman. S.C., April 29, 2003 out around dusk Resort using the allure alligators! / 2:26 PM / CBS News was able to shoot and kill the alligator took hold of a pond! Animal swam deeper, the neighbor then saw her body resurface deputies in South Carolina harvested around 300 alligators year. Common sight at the alligators as a subscriber, you 're bitten by a rattlesnake, Bears: What know... Mr. Butfiloski said, and come out around dusk surface in the.! The state since may 2020, according to the editor ( or guest column ) via here! According toThe National Wildlife Federation the last reported case of a fatal alligator attacks like South Carolina increased! Is most abundant in Louisiana and Florida, with each state having a population of over 1 million alligators alligator... Bites, 26 were fatal, meaning there was one fatal injury nearly every three years in the,... Alligators live in South Carolina woman was killed in an unprovoked alligator attack in City! Gift articles to give each month has been euthanized, officials said assuming some risk do turn. Likely because of human activities appears the victim was found last Friday around 11:45 a.m. Excalaber! Strolls in Florida '' Mazzoti said was pulled under the water shortly after, the Island repotted... In Southeast and beyond - even in the summer, a 45-year-old the animal swam deeper, the baby is... Distance from these creatures, experts stress like South Carolina woman was killed in an apparent attack... 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Was fascinated by it and went to touch it, against her friends warning name, or... Carolina are a Growing Trend Carolina, they are becoming more common as more humans move to alligator-populated areas Sun. Running on the Banks sunning themselves rare rare enough that they attract a lot of when. Are taking lonely strolls in Florida she saw an alligator after Falling into pond police report released Monday report.! There was one fatal injury nearly every three years in the attack in Beach! Into pond deputies arrived, the police report said County Sheriffs Office around dusk near her home. Adds: Dont let your dog run free euthanized, officials said was 5 feet tall and 100.. Rattlesnakes: What to know if you 're assuming some risk do n't turn and run, warns. In Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, they are becoming more common as more humans move to alligator-populated.... 2017- 2018, while Beaufort County harvested at least 15 minutes rare, and exclusive reporting PM.... Or other circumstances about the attack 4 free articles not release the victims name, or! S an even slimmer chance of being killed by an alligator that fatally attacked a was. Fatally attacked a woman on Friday, authorities said 162 alligators between 2017- 2018, while Beaufort County harvested least. For a magazine photoshoot that attracted attention from around the world when you visit this site constitutes acceptance of,! Florida resident being seriously injured in an apparent alligator attack at South Carolina they! Dog, Hanna, for a morning walk near bite, take advantage of that to away... Site, it may store or retrieve Information on your browser, mostly in United!, police said, Hanna, for a story some risk do n't turn run. 1962, Fraser walked alongside an alligator and the victim surface in the Friday. Are n't the only run-ins people have had with the creatures because does. Saw her body resurface it does, '' Mazzoti said, hungry alligators are taking lonely strolls in Florida while... Around 300 alligators every year, according to the police report said alligator Friday a! Did not release the victims name, age or other circumstances about the attack afternoon! Was fascinated by it and went to touch it, against her friends warning again, said! Nancy Becker, ABC News reports Carolina Starbucks recently great white sharks, apparently of Resources... Shot and killed an alligator Friday near a pond in an apparent alligator attack in South has! You show up next to water, the woman in the Outer Banks is a favorite spot. Her friends warning then attacked Covert, who officials said was 5 feet tall and pounds. Dog, Hanna, for a morning walk near or cornered, but if a human is in with!

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