HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources said it euthanized an alligator that was acting abnormally in a South Huntsville neighborhood Thursday morning.
DCNR said that their staff responded to the Jackson Bend subdivision off Haysland Road and determined that an alligator was acting abnormally.
A spokesperson for the DCNR Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division confirmed to News 19 that the alligator was euthanized and removed.
The department added that the alligator was a male that measured 10’ 3” and weighed 275 lbs.
Marianne Gauldin, the conservation outreach coordinator with the Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, said that alligators can be found across the state, and that seeing one does not mean that there is a problem.
She said alligators are reptiles, so people can sometimes see them basking on a water bank, lying in the sun, or even crossing roads and yards. These animals can travel long distances to find new territory and find the resources they need.
According to Gauldin, there have been no unprovoked alligator attacks in Alabama. A way to continue the prevention of attacks is by not feeding them.
“When I talk about feeding alligators, I don’t necessarily mean approaching a waterway with a goodie bag for the alligators. Some people do that and it’s illegal,” Gauldin said. “Even inadvertently feeding the alligator with fishing scraps or food stuffs that you’re tossing in the water can cause an alligator to associate humans with food and condition them to want to approach people for their next meal.”
She said alligators have increased their numbers over the past several decades in Alabama. Back in the early 1900s, the American alligator was threatened with extinction. In response, Alabama in 1938 became the first state to protect the American alligator.
Due to the increased number of these animals, some areas of the southern part of the state can support highly regulated alligator hunting. Gouldin said there is no hunting season for alligators in the middle or northern portion.
If you see an alligator that’s acting abnormally and is approaching people, Goulgin said it’s important to inform the Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division of the animal. A biologist can determine whether or not the alligator is acting abnormally, and if it is, the animal could be euthanized.
She said it can be subtle and that an alligator swimming in the same direction as people happen to be does not necessarily mean it’s approaching them.
You can report any alligator acting abnormally to the Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division or by calling them at 1-800-272-GAME.
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