POLK COUNTY, FLA. – Police say an alligator attacked and killed a kayaker at Lake Kissimmee State Park in central Florida on Tuesday afternoon.

The police were told about the event just before 4 p.m. when a witness said they saw the snake.

Police responded to the scene with both boats and planes, as seen on video from the scene. They may have been looking for the animal.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said in a statement, “Preliminary information suggests that a woman was canoeing when she came across an alligator and dove into the water.” The woman was later found in the water and was pronounced dead.

About 35,000 acres of Polk and Osceola counties make up Lake Kissimmee. It is famous for having one of the biggest populations of alligators in the Sunshine State.

According to the FWC, there are about 1.3 million alligators living in all 67 of Florida’s counties.

Even though there are a lot of snakes, attacks on people for no reason are still very rare.

State records show that since 1948, there have been less than 500 proven cases of people being bitten by alligators.

A recent study by researchers at the University of Florida found that more than 90% of recorded incidents were caused by people being careless or taking risks before the attack.

The most recent event happened during alligator mating season, a time when the animals are more likely to be busy and protective of their territory.

A persistent drought may also force some alligators to leave the areas where they normally live.

University experts say that people who like to be outside should be extra careful in swamps and marshes, because they are like hiking in bear country or swimming in water where sharks are known to live.

As of Tuesday night, the officials had not said for sure if the animal had been found.

A hired nuisance alligator hunter was sent to the area to help look for the animal.