“Alligators have lived in South Carolina ponds, lakes, and marshlands for millions of years,” Morgan Hart of South Carolina Department of Natural Resources told FITSNews. KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. — Deputies said a woman has died after an encounter involving an alligator in South Carolina Friday afternoon, WCIV reported. A woman, later identified as 58-year-old Cynthia Covert, was killed in the attack. While alligators are fierce predators, they mostly attack either in water or very close to the water’s edge. The officers were called to a pond on Kiawah Island around 5 p.m. and saw the animal attack, the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office said. Cynthia Covert calmly told onlookers on Kiawah Island, South Carolina, US, "I guess I won't do this again" as she was being gripped by the legs by the alligator which then pulled her under water Her name has not been released. Cynthia Covert, 58, died in the attack Friday afternoon on Kiawah Island, Charleston County deputies said. A woman was killed, just saw an article in New York Post. The woman was dead. Coroner Rae Wooten said 57-year-old Cynthia Covert died this past Friday. We reached out to SCDNR biologist Morgan Hart, Alligator program coordinator and SCDNR senior biologist Sam Chappelear and SCDNR Assistant Chief of Wildlife Will Dillman to answer some questions after the alarming incident. Just before 5 p.m., Charleston County sheriff’s deputies responded to a … The first reported fatal alligator attack in South Carolina occurred in 2016 when a 90-year-old Charleston woman wandered away from an assisted living facility and was attacked in a nearby lagoon. KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. (AP) — 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 into the water, according to a police report. Want to contact Mandy? We all know it’s important to “keep your distance” from an alligator, but how much distance exactly? The officers were called to a pond on Kiawah Island, South Carolina around 5 p.m. and saw the animal attack, the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office said. 58 year old Cynthia Covert was found in a pond near Salt Cedar Lane on Kiawah by the police.The incident is still under investigation. 4475 Betsy Kerrison Pkwy, Kiawah Island, SC, © 2021 Town of Kiawah Island, South Carolina, Photos provided by Kiawah Photography Club, Emergency Ordinance 2021-02- Face Mask Ordinance and other restrictions Extended - CLICK HERE. “Since alligators feel more vulnerable on land, the two most likely scenarios if an alligator is moving toward you are either, you are between the alligator and the water (where it feels safest), or you are too close and the alligator is trying to scare you away. or. An elderly Kiawah Island man who was found dead Saturday with bite marks on his body and in an area known for alligator activity died of natural causes, officials announced Tuesday. Sections of this page. The woman was dead. Ever heard the old wive’s tale to “run in zig zags” if an alligator is chasing you? Email or Phone: Password: Forgot account? more_vert. Two massive alligators were captured on video Monday strolling along the golf courses on Kiawah Island, South Carolina. KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. (AP) — Deputies in South Carolina shot and killed an alligator that fatally attacked a woman on Friday, authorities said. Covert’s friend said she was acting “very relaxed” and talkative Friday afternoon. or. Cynthia Covert, 58, drowned last Friday in South Carolina after the alligator repeatedly pulled her into a pond on Kiawah Island, according to a police report. For this reason, alligators are most active during the spring, summer, and fall. “So relocating a problematic alligator is really just moving the problem around.”. Covert’s friend then warned her to get back, according the report. “While there is no evidence that any of the fatal encounters involved alligators that were fed, feeding alligators is illegal and can result in animals that associate people with food, which increases the likelihood of negative interactions,” Hart said. About 5p today, deputies responded to pond near Salt Cedar Ln, Kiawah Island, for report of alligator encounter w/ a woman. South Carolina Private Club Pushes Back Against Confusing Coronavirus Lockdowns, South Carolina Coronavirus Update: Testing Continues To Climb, Hilton Head Fishing Crew Catches Massive 12-Foot Great White Shark Off SC Coast, Miranda Lambert Visits Charleston, Shows A Lot Of Love For Halls Chophouse And Lowcountry, Rethinking South Carolina’s Government Structure Shouldn’t Stop With Health Agency Overhaul, Woman Crashes Car While Fleeing Shooting Outside Of Hilton Head Hotspot, Police Say. KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - Authorities say a woman was found dead following an encounter with an alligator on Kiawah Island Friday afternoon. By Ray Rivera | May 1, 2020 at 5:48 PM EDT - Updated May 3 at 10:19 PM. alligator attacks are rare in South Carolina, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. The Johns Island woman was an animal lover, often promoting fundraisers for rescue organizations. Got a tip for a story? They will often be seen basking on pond edges in the sun in an attempt to … Officials have released the name of the 58-year-old woman who was found dead following an encounter with an alligator on Kiawah Island in South Carolina Friday afternoon.Cynthia Covert, of … Kiawah Island, SC (AP) – Deputies shot and killed an alligator that fatally attacked a woman on Friday, authorities said. Her name has not been released. She was approaching the alligator and trying to touch it at the time when she was attacked, according to a police report. Sign Up. Most of the alligators seen on Kiawah will be between 3-8 feet in length, though larger alligators up to 11 feet are present in some areas of the island. “Alligators are more mobile during mating season, which can increase the likelihood of encountering one on land or in a new area,” Hart said. Woman killed in alligator attack was manicurist on a house call during South Carolina lockdown "She saw the alligator in the pond and was fascinated by the alligator," a … An autopsy is scheduled to be completed on Monday. 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 didn’t scream as it attacked her and dragged her into the water, according to a police report. “They are ambush predators and use their effective camouflage to stay hidden and submerged in water to quietly approach prey.”, “An alligator on land is generally laying in the sun to warm their body temperature,” Hard said. The woman was dead. #UPDATE (11:15 a.m., 5/5/2020) KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. (AP) — A woman killed by an alligator at a South Carolina pond told a friend she wanted … Alligator Incident Update. On Friday, May 1, 2020, authorities responded to a … The woman was dead. Answer 1 of 5: Has anyone heard about the Alligator attack on Kiawah Island? “Again, remain aware of your surroundings, and if you encounter an alligator remain calm, do not approach the alligator, do not move between the alligator and the nearest body of water, and if the alligator seems disturbed by your presence, move away from the alligator.”. Officers responded to a pond on Kiawah Island on Friday around 5 p.m. for a report of an "alligator … SCDNR spokesperson David Lucas previously said that the agency receives between 1,300-1,500 complaints about alligators every year. A couple of “out-of-place” alligators were spotted on Kiawah Island this week, including an 8-foot animal near the Kiawah Island Golf Resort on Tuesday, according to a report from The State. After every alligator attack resulting in human injury or death, SCDNR experts conduct an investigation where they  interview witnesses and examine the gator to see if there is evidence of feeding by people, injury, or disease. The victim has been named as animal lover Cynthia Covert, 58, who died in the attack on Friday afternoon on Kiawah Island in Charleston County. Two weeks ago, an alligator dragged a South Carolina woman into a lagoon and drowned her to death. 14 of those attacks occurred in Beaufort County according to SCDNR records. A woman was killed, just saw an article in New York Post. A woman reportedly died after encountering an alligator Friday afternoon on Kiawah Island in South Carolina. Covert ignored her. “If the prey struggles, they may roll in order to immobilize the prey.”. Submit your own letter to the editor (or guest column) via-email HERE. She was about 4 feet from the water when it happened. See more of Town of Kiawah Island, SC on Facebook. Witnesses reported that the victim was dragged into the water after she approached an alligator in a lagoon. Cynthia Covert, 58, of Johns Island, was found while police were responding to a pond in the area of Salt Ceder Lane. The officers were called to a pond on Kiawah Island around 5 p.m. and saw the animal attack, the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office said. KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. (WCBD) – Charleston County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) deputies are investigating an “alligator encounter” that led to the death of a woman on Kiawah Island. Deputies retrieved the alligator's carcass to help with the investigation, deputies said on Twitter. We provide nuisance alligator tags and permits to communities and property owners for the removal of nuisance alligators so that they can manage their properties. Just before a Johns Island, South Carolina woman named Cynthia Covert was attacked by an alligator on Kiawah Island, the woman’s friend saw her taking photos of the creature, according to a recently released Charleston County Sheriff’s Office report. He said agents also look at safety for people and for the “gator” when determining if an alligator can be relocated. Read Full Story. CLICK HERE. Got something you’d like to say in response to one of our stories? “Generally, alligators do not chase people,” Hart said. (stock image of alligator) A woman is dead following an alligator attack at Kiawah Island on Friday, according to a release from the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office. Facebook. An autopsy determined that Covert drowned and the death was … Press alt + / to open this menu. Cynthia Covert, 58, of Johns Island died in the attack Friday afternoon on Kiawah Island, Charleston County deputies said. Log In. A witness told police the alligator dragged Covert into the pond after she tried to get closer to … “, “Alligators will open their mouth, hiss, and move forward about a foot or two if they feel particularly threatened,” the SCDNR alligator expert told FITSNEWS. “As more people move to the state and development increases in coastal areas, the likelihood of encountering an alligator also increases.”. Just curious if it was at The Sanctuary Hotel. KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - Authorities say a woman was found dead following an encounter with an alligator on Kiawah Island Friday afternoon. “An autopsy was performed today, Monday, May 4, 2020, on Cynthia Covert, 57 years of age, who died following an incident involving an alligator on Friday. A woman who was killed by an alligator on Kiawah Island on Friday ignored repeated warnings by her friend to not get close to the carnivorous reptile, according to … KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. (AP) -- 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 into the water, according to a police report. Can alligators and humans co-exist? Humans are not a natural prey source for alligators, but they can occasionally confuse people for other animals. This month’s fatal alligator attack in Kiawah Island, South Carolina was alarming and bizarre. According to the S.C. Department of Natural Resources record, she was the third … Sea Pines gated community on Hilton Head Island. A woman has died in a terrifying alligator attack in the United States while visiting a client for a home nail appointment. “These alligators may have been habituated to people, have been feed by people, or may not exhibit appropriate fear of humans, though this is not always the case.”. This month’s fatal alligator attack in Kiawah Island, South Carolina was alarming and bizarre. “When on land they feel exposed and at risk and may be more likely to posture defensively if approached.”. South Carolina deputies say a woman has died after a run-in with an alligator The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded to a pond on Answer 1 of 5: Has anyone heard about the Alligator attack on Kiawah Island? Two weeks ago, an alligator dragged a South Carolina woman into a lagoon and drowned her to death. Got a technical question or a glitch to report? The woman has died. A woman in South Carolina has died after an alligator attack, authorities said. U.S. News & World Report. 05-05. What Happened To Him? How does SCDNR decide which alligators to kill when they are responding to a nuisance alligator? On Friday, May 1, 2020, authorities responded to a report of an alligator attack on Kiawah Island. Because there were several witnesses on scene to describe the shocking details, this attack was different than the others in recent history. In August 2018, 45-year-old Cassandra Cline was attacked and killed by an alligator while walking her dog on Hilton Head Island. An autopsy determined that Covert drowned and the death was ruled accidental.” – County Coroner Rae H. Wooten. KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - Charleston County investigators say a friend yelled at a woman to stay away from a gator before an attack led to the woman’s death on Kiawah Island. “Move away from the alligator and from the water and the alligator will calm down and move away from you, towards the water.”. While alligator attacks are rare in South Carolina, they are becoming more common as more humans move to alligator-populated areas. Deputies in South Carolina shot and killed an alligator that fatally attacked a woman on Friday, authorities said. Barring the Kiawah Island incident since the circumstances aren’t fully known, there have been 20 alligator-related incidents in the Palmetto State dating back to 1976, according to SC DNR. Breeding season, when male alligators are spotted in strange places far from lagoons as they search for their mates, typically runs from April to May typically. We have an open microphone policy! “They should always be respected as such. Deputies in South Carolina shot and killed an alligator that fatally attacked a woman on Friday, authorities said. See more of Town of Kiawah Island, SC on Facebook . Alligator attack victim in South Carolina didn’t scream during incident, witness says . New report released on Kiawah Island gator attack A sheriff’s office report released on Tuesday states that the incident started when a friend had Covert at her home to do her nails on the porch. In August 2018, 45-year-old Cassandra Cline was killed by an alligator while walking her dog close to a lagoon in the Sea Pines gated community on Hilton Head Island. KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. (WPDE) — New information related to the alligator attack on Cynthia Covert, 58, of Johns Island has been released by the Charleston County Sheriff's Office. She was approaching the alligator and trying to touch it at the time when … KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. (WPDE) — New information related to the alligator attack on Cynthia Covert, 58, of Johns Island has been released by the Charleston County Sheriff's Office. She told Covert an alligator grabbed a deer from that same spot days earlier. SCDNR biologists told FITSNews that while there is no magic number for a safe distance between you and a predator, “staying at least 10 feet from the water’s edge whether you see an alligator or not is a good starting point.”. So why the sudden increase of fatal alligator attacks in South Carolina? Her name has not […] “Alligators are large predators,” Hart said. KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. — Deputies in South Carolina shot and killed an alligator that fatally attacked a woman on Friday, authorities said. Coyote Named Wiley Showed Up In SC Elementary School Bathroom. “We work closely with communities and members of the public to provide education regarding alligator safety and provide signage designed to alert the public to the potential presence of alligators. KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. — Deputies in South Carolina shot and killed an alligator that fatally attacked a woman on Friday, authorities said. “There could be more that we aren’t aware of,” SCDNR alligator program director, Jay Butfiloski previously said,. South Carolina has seen 20 alligator incidents since 1976. “From our records, there wasn’t an attack from 1915 to 1976, but that could just be because they weren’t newsworthy back then.”, Hart said that “ideally, alligators should be able to coexist with people, though sometimes this is not the case.”. Follow. For this reason, alligators are most active during the spring, summer, and fall. A Johns Island woman passed away after an alligator attack on Kiawah Island. She’s an award-winning journalist from Kansas who has worked for newspapers in Missouri, Illinois, and South Carolina before making the switch to FITS. KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. (AP) — Deputies in South Carolina shot and killed an alligator that fatally attacked a woman on Friday, authorities said. When police asked if she had alcohol or drugs, the friend said Covert came over with a glass of wine and that’s all she saw her drinking. It was the second fatal alligator attack in two years and only the third ever recorded in South Carolina’s history. Just curious if it was at The Sanctuary Hotel. SCDNR agents consider size, aggression and distance traveled, among other factors, when determining how to deal with problem reptiles. As the two women were on the back porch, Covert saw the alligator and was “fascinated” by it, according to the report. amp video_youtube May 3. bookmark_border. The officers were called to a pond on Kiawah Island around 5 p.m. and saw the animal attack, the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office said. Charleston County sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of a missing person on Kiawah Island just after 2 p.m. Saturday, the sheriff’s office said in a tweet. CLICK HERE. Alligator attack kills woman at Kiawah Island South Carolina police say The alligator then grabbed Covert by the leg, and dragged her in the water, the report said. Not Now. 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 didn’t scream as … Alligators are cold-blooded which means that they cannot self-regulate their body temperature as humans do. A woman was killed, just saw an article in New York Post. Cynthia Covert, 58, of Johns Island, was found while police were responding to a pond in the area of Salt Ceder Lane. Log In. A witness told police the alligator dragged Covert into the pond after she tried to get closer to … Witnesses reported that the victim was dragged into the water after she approached an alligator in a lagoon. Covert was at the woman’s Kiawah Island home to do her nails, according to the report. Deputies: Woman Killed in Alligator Attack at SC Pond. Accessibility Help. As more people move into S.C. land already occupied by an estimated 100,000 alligators, can alligators and humans better learn to coexist? Just curious if it was at The Sanctuary Hotel. See the latest updates, context, and perspectives about this story. The officers were called to a pond on Kiawah Island around 5 p.m. and saw the animal attack, the Charleston County Sheriff's Office said. Two weeks ago, an alligator dragged a South Carolina woman into a … The incident occurred just before 5:00 p.m., and the victim was pronounced dead. She noticed Covert was moving dangerously close to the alligator and screamed “very loudly” for her to get back and not get any closer to the water. The friend told deputies that Covert was very talking and acting “strange,” describing Covert as “very relaxed” and excited since her boyfriend was coming to town. May 2, 2020, 7:47 PM PDT By Alicia Victoria Lozano and The Associated Press Deputies in South Carolina shot and killed an alligator that fatally attacked a … If … She died by drowning, according to the Charleston County coroner. Hart said in all three fatal incidents, there was no evidence that the alligators in question were hand-fed. Create New Account. Two 11-Foot Great White Sharks Caught Back-To-Back Off Hilton Head Coast, Copyright © 2008-2021 FITSNews, LLCFollow me on Blogarama, an alligator dragged a South Carolina woman. “SCDNR’s alligator management program seeks to minimize conflict between people and alligators,” she said. Forgot account? We reached out to experts. “No one should feed an alligator, whether intentionally or unintentionally [feeding turtles/fish where alligators are present, cleaning fish over water, etc].”. As with any wild animal, do not approach or try to interact.”. “[Alligators] generally hold their prey in their very strong jaws and swim to deeper water,” Hart said. ... A woman is dead after a run-in with an alligator on a South Carolina island, the Charleston County Sheriff's Office said. The woman in Kiawah was said to be getting closer to the alligator to take photos of the animal at the time of the attack. Pages Liked by This Page. And if you do see an alligator, stay alert and do not approach it. Her cause of death was accidental drowning, according to a detailed incident report released Tuesday by the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office. Alligators are cold-blooded which means that they cannot self-regulate their body temperature as humans do. “Alligators will travel miles, no matter where you move them, and find their way home,” Lucas previously told the Island Packet. An American alligator pokes its head out of the swamp at Caw Caw Interpretive Center on July 9, 2019 in Ravenel. The officers were called to a pond on Kiawah Island around 5 p.m. and saw the animal attack, the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office said. This recent attack occurred during mating season for alligators in South Carolina. Supplemental reports released Tuesday by authorities reveal more details about a fatal alligator attack on Kiawah Island, including that the victim was taking pictures of the creature and tried to “Covert replied ‘I don’t look like a deer’ then moved to touch the [alligator],” the report says. Most of the alligators seen on Kiawah will be between 3-8 feet in length, though larger alligators up to 11 feet are present in some areas of the island. “Generally, ‘nuisance’ alligators are found in a typical alligator habitat where the property owner or member of the public demands its removal,” Hart said. Her husband is still fighting a legal battle with Sea Pines, claiming the gated community should have removed the dangerous alligator before the attack. Experts say it’s possible that the alligator confused the woman with another animal. When asked how exactly Covert was acting “not her self,” the friend said she wasn’t acting like she was when she was at the salon. As of August, there were 23 total alligator attacks since 1915, according to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Jump to. Send your story ideas, comments, suggestions and tips to [email protected]. 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 into the water, according to a police report. This month’s fatal alligator attack in Kiawah Island, South Carolina was alarming and bizarre. Her name has not been released. She currently lives on Hilton Head Island where she enjoys beach life. A woman in South Carolina has died after an alligator attack, authorities said. The incident occurred just before 5:00 p.m., and the victim was pronounced dead. Answer 1 of 5: Has anyone heard about the Alligator attack on Kiawah Island? However, we do know that the Hilton Head and Kiawah alligators were killed after the incident. Create New Account. Police: Woman wanted to get close to alligator before attack May 4, 2020 KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. (AP) — 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 into the water, according to a police report. Deputies: Woman killed in alligator attack at pond near home. Cynthia Covert, 58, died in the attack Friday afternoon on Kiawah Island, Charleston County deputies said. Fox News. Today, Charleston County Coroner’s Office announced they have concluded their report regarding the fatality that took place Friday evening and released the following statement: “An autopsy was performed today, Monday, May 4, 2020, on Cynthia Covert, 57 years of age, who died following an incident involving an alligator on Friday. “Alligators do not hunt on land,” SCDNR experts told FITSNews. About 300 of those gators are killed, he said. Cynthia Covert, 58, was at her friend’s home on Kiawah Island, South Carolina, painting her nails.According to the police report, the friend said Ms Covert was “very talkative and strange”. According to officials, Cynthia Covert of Johns Island, died following an encounter with an alligator near a pond in the Salt Cedar Lane area. A deputy fatally shot and retrieved the … “Additionally, we utilize contracted Alligator Control agents to provide timely responses to nuisance and emergency alligator calls.”. That’s not really a thing. Mandy Matney is the news director at FITSNews. The state’s second fatal attack happened in August 2018, when a 45-year-old woman was killed at a resort on Hilton Head Island. KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. — Deputies in South Carolina shot and killed an alligator that fatally attacked a woman on Friday, authorities said. Image credit: Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) in South Carolina reported that on May 1, a 58-year old woman was killed by an alligator on Kiawah Island.