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NCWRC urging people to 'Get Gatorwise' as reptiles become more active with warming weather

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

As the Carolina sun starts to heat up, state wildlife experts are issuing a warning: it’s gator season."

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is urging people to 'Get Gatorwise' as the reptiles become more active with the warming weather. Officials say safety starts with a simple rule: assume an alligator is present in any coastal body of water."

To keep these prehistoric neighbors at bay, experts say never feed them—and that includes tossing fish scraps into the water at the docks. Feeding gators is not only illegal, it teaches them to associate humans with food."

They also urge pet owners to keep a firm grip on the leash. Pets should stay well away from the water’s edge, especially during the high-activity hours of dusk and dawn.

Annette is an award-winning journalist based in Eastern North Carolina. Her career includes professional stops across the Midwest, Pacific Northwest, and Southeast, recently culminating in a 2026 Region 8 Edward R. Murrow Award for Small Market Radio Best News Series for her work on the Camp Lejeune Justice Act Series. Guided by a passion for human-interest storytelling, she focuses on narratives that touch hearts and connect communities. A mother of four and grandmother of two, Annette enjoys reading and creating epic Halloween costumes in her spare time. If you have a story idea to share, please reach out by email to westona@cravencc.edu.