Officer safely relocates young gator found at the convention center; officials remind the public that feeding wildlife creates dangerous habits
SUNSET BEACH, NC — An unexpected visitor caused quite a stir at the Sea Trail Golf Resort and Convention Center on July 9. Staff members discovered a young alligator near the rear kitchen entrance of the facility. The small reptile quickly became the center of attention as employees gathered, noting its size with, “Aww, it’s just a little baby!”
While juvenile alligators may appear non-threatening, officials emphasize that they are still wild animals. The Sunset Beach Police Department advises that alligators should always be observed from a safe distance.
Alligators naturally prefer to avoid human contact, while feeding alligators causes them to lose their natural fear of humans and become accustomed to interaction. This behavior creates significant safety risks for both the community and the animal.
“A Fed Alligator is a Dangerous Alligator” This common wildlife management adage holds true; human-habituated alligators are far more likely to approach people, leading to dangerous encounters.
Officer Arp of the Sunset Beach Police Department responded to the scene and successfully relocated the alligator to a more suitable, natural habitat away from the resort.
If you observe anyone feeding alligators or other local wildlife, please report it to the Sunset Beach Police Department at 910.579.6297 or the non-emergency dispatch line at 910.253.7490. Help keep our community and local wildlife safe by respecting their space and keeping them wild.
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