It’s springtime, and love is in the air — especially for alligators.
Two gators ended up being wrangled by Wildlife Enforcement officers in Columbus County over the weekend. The largest of the saurians — an eight foot, eleven inch male — died from injuries sustained after he was struck by repeated vehicles on N.C. 130.
Traffic was tied up in both directions near Pleasant Plains Church for more than an hour while Wildlife Officers, troopers and deputies worked to get the big animal off the road. He initially took shelter under a sheriff’s office SUV.
Wildlife Enforcement Officers T.C. Stacey said the gator weighed around 375 pounds.
A second gator caused some worrisome moments for a Hallsboro family Sunday.
Hannah Edwards discovered a four foot, eight inch female gator near her front porch in the 1800 block of Sam Potts Highway. Edwards said she was shocked that the alligator turned up at her house, since she isn’t near any bodies of water.
Stacey and another officer safely relocated the female to Lake Waccamaw.
“Hopefully she stays there for life,” he said.
May and June are typically mating season for alligators. Males will sometimes travel for miles looking for new territory as well as females, and females will travel shorter distances looking for new nesting grounds.
Most alligators will move on to more hospitable areas, as long as there are no nearby convenient food sources. If you see an alligator, the Wildlife Commission advises not to harass or feed the gator in any way, and to keep pets and children away from the reptiles. If the alligator is a true nuisance, contact a Wildlife officer for assistance.
