"May and June are mating season for alligators, which means they are moving around more," said NCWRC Alligator Biologist Alicia Wassmer. "Warmer weather also brings more people outside, so reports of encounters increase."
Wildlife Management District Biologist John Henry Harrelson, who oversees nine counties in the southern Coastal Plain - including Brunswick and Columbus - says he's seeing a troubling trend: more alligators showing less fear of humans. And he's clear about the cause.
"People feeding alligators ultimately leads to those animals seeing humans as a potential source for food," said Harrelson, who is currently conducting several site visits per week related to alligators. "Naturally, alligators are shy, but through feeding, alligators can lose their fear of humans and that leads to a possible negative interaction between people and wildlife. Communities are reaching out to us, concerned about animals that are approaching or being 'aggressive' towards humans. Most of these behaviors are directly linked to animals being fed by people."
SEE ALSO | 9-foot alligator spotted roaming Brunswick County neighborhood on Memorial Day
Due to the rising number of human-alligator encounters, NCWRC has developed a GatorWise in partnership with 10 other wildlife agencies in states where alligators live. Modeled after BearWise, the program provides reliable information and resources about how to avoid human-alligator conflicts and coexist safely with alligators.
Here are the six GatorWise Basics to protect both people and alligators:
Assume alligators are present
- Alligators can live in any water body within their range.
- Alligators are very good at hiding. They will see you before you see them.
- There could be alligators in places you have never seen them before, especially after storms or floods.
- The best way to stay safe around alligators is to keep your distance.
Never feed alligators
- Feeding alligators on purpose or by accident may cause alligators to associate people with food.
- Intentionally feeding alligators is irresponsible, illegal in most states, and dangerous for you and others.
- Feeding other wildlife near water can attract alligators and cause them to lose their natural fear of people.
Don't dispose of fish or food scraps in water
- Throwing fish scraps in the water is one of the most common ways that people unintentionally feed alligators.
- Properly dispose of bait, fish scraps, and food items away from alligators and other wildlife.
Never harass, capture, or handle an alligator
- Attempting to approach, capture, or handle alligators increases your risk of injury or death.
- These behaviors are irresponsible, illegal, and dangerous, regardless of the alligator's size.
- View and photograph alligators from a distance.
Be responsible for people and pets in your care
- Alligators do not know the difference between pets and their natural prey.
- Keep pets on a leash and away from the water's edge.
- Supervise small children near water.
Maintain awareness anytime you are in or near water
- Always observe alligator warning signs.
- Stay away from the water if you see an alligator.
- Avoid swimming in areas with dense vegetation. Alligators hide in vegetation in and around the water.
- Only swim during daylight hours. Alligators are most active between dusk and dawn.
- During summer months, female alligators may protect nests and hatchlings from perceived threats, including people getting too close.
- If an alligator approaches you, immediately move a safe distance away. Report the situation to NCWRC.
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