New multi-state program launches to support coexisting with alligators

RALEIGH — Today (Monday), wildlife agencies in all 11 southeastern states where American alligators live, including the N.C. Wildlife Resources  Commission, are launching GatorWise,  an outreach initiative that provides information to the public on avoiding human-alligator conflicts and living responsibly with alligators.   

“As development continues to expand into once-remote areas where alligators live, we need to become GatorWise in order to safely share the land with this species,” said NCWRC Wildlife Biologist Alicia Wassmer. 

North Carolina is the northern-most region of the American alligator’s range in the U.S. The majority of calls to NCWRC’s Wildlife  Hotline concerning alligators come from the two southernmost coastal counties of New Hanover and Brunswick, where human populations have doubled  and tripled, respectively, since the species was delisted in 1987 from the federal endangered species list.

Alligators are native to many southeastern United States wetlands and are critical to the health and balance of these ecosystems. 

“Urbanization is projected to increase at exponential rates in areas where alligator habitat occurs,” said Wassmer. “This continuous conversion of natural spaces, coupled with a constant influx of newcomers who may not know that alligators are here or aren’t familiar with alligator behavior, have amplified the need for state wildlife resource agencies to proactively connect residents and visitors with vital information on how to coexist responsibly with the alligators that live in these communities.” 

Thomas Harvey

Wildlife biologists developed and approved six GatorWise Basics to help residents and visitors stay safe while ensuring alligators remain wild. 

GatorWise Basics 

1 - Assume alligators are present 

• Alligators can live in any body of water within their range. 
• Alligators are very good at hiding. They will see you before you see them.   
• There could be alligators in places where you have never seen them before, especially after storms or floods.   
• The best way to stay safe around alligators is to keep your distance. 

2 - 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 alligators to lose their natural fear of people. 

3 - 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. 

An alligator is near the Oyster Bay Golf Links in Brunswick County Thursday, June 20, 2024.

Jonathon Gruenke

4 - 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. 

5 - 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. 

6 - Maintain awareness anytime you are in or near water 

• Always observe alligator warning signs. 
• Stay away from the water if you see an alligator and keep your distance from alligators you see (at least 60 feet). 
• 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 the appropriate authority in your state. 

An alligator is seen in the canal near Lake Waccamaw in North Carolina Thursday October 17, 2023.

Jonathon Gruenke

State-specific rules related to alligators and other information, such as range maps outlining where alligators live, can be accessed through each participating state agency website, including NCWRC. 

GatorWise is modeled after BearWise, a successful program that launched in 2018 to meet similar goals for communities with black bears throughout the southeastern U.S. BearWise was also conceived by members of the Southeastern Association of  Fish and Wildlife Agencies and has since undergone a nationwide expansion to serve people throughout North America. 

“Although bears and alligators are very different species, some of the safety tips that we consistently provide to the public about these animals are tied to a common underlying purpose — preventing issues caused by food habituation,” said Wassmer. “Like bears, alligators are naturally fearful of humans and will avoid close encounters with people. But when people feed wildlife — whether on purpose or unintentionally — they can learn to associate people with food, creating a situation that could potentially be dangerous for both people and the animal.” 

In addition, to increase safety for people and alligators, communities that commit to being GatorWise may also realize long-term benefits associated with living in healthier, more resilient coastal ecosystems. 

Learn how to become GatorWise at GatorWise.org.  

Learn more about American alligators in North Carolina at NCWildlife.gov.