Georgia is home to an estimated population of around 225,000 alligators. So, no matter where you live, it’s time to get GatorWise, says the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division.
“As the weather warms up and people are spending more time outdoors, it’s a great time to remind everyone that it is normal to see alligators moving around and basking in rivers, ponds and lakes in the southern part of the state,” said Kara Nitschke, WRD’s state alligator biologist. “Alligators are native to Georgia and are critical to the health and balance of our ecosystems, so being GatorWise means we know how to modify our behavior to minimize any potential conflict.”
Learn the GatorWise basics: • Alligatorscanliveinany water body in their range.
They are good at hiding and may be found in places where you have never seen them, especially after storms or floods. Keep your distance.
• Feedingalligatorson purpose or by accident is illegal in Georgia. This can cause alligators to associate people with food and lose their natural fear of people.
• Throwingfishscrapsin the water is one of the most common ways people unintentionally feed alligators. Properly dispose of bait, fish scraps, and food items.
• Approaching,capturing or handling alligators puts you at risk. View and photograph alligators from a distance.
• Alligatorsdonotknowthe difference between pets and prey. Keep pets on a leash and away from the water’s edge. Supervise small children near the water.
• Observealligatorwarning signs. Stay away from the water if you see an alligator. Avoid swimming in areas with dense vegetation and only swim during daylight hours.
GatorWise promotes realistic public perceptions about alligators and provides guidance on responsible human behavior to minimize conflict between people and alligators.
GatorWise was developed with cooperation from state fish and wildlife agencies of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas, all states within the range of the American Alligator.
To learn more visit gatorwise. org and to learn more about Georgia alligators visit georgiawildlife.com/ alligator-info.
— Contributed