Alligator safety: Keep your distance and don’t feed them

Just like deer or snakes or even the ducks in Big Spring Park, alligators are a fixture in Huntsville’s wildlife landscape.

Alligators may be bigger and their teeth may seem sharper but the wetlands in areas on both the east and west sides of Redstone Arsenal are their homes. There have also been sightings recently in the Aldridge Creek area in south Huntsville.

And as such, residents should keep in mind that alligators do not want people in their homes just like people do not want alligators in their homes.

“You really just need to leave them in their environments,” said Jasmine Murree, program coordinator at Huntsville Animal Services (HAS).

There have been no instances of alligators attacking or harming people in Huntsville, but sightings have been on the rise in recent years as developments have expanded near their habitats. Last month, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) confirmed that an alligator was euthanized in south Huntsville after acting abnormally.

Though wildlife officials have said alligators have a long history in Huntsville, the animals have garnered attention in recent years as sightings have ticked upward. The City installed cautionary signs along the walking trail on Haysland Road in 2021 alerting people to the presence of alligators. More signs have been posted since then in other areas popular with alligators.

“We absolutely do receive calls and emails about alligators,” Murree said. “Animal Services doesn’t handle that but we do contact the game warden and usually if they are just going about their business and acting normally, they will remove them safely away from populated areas.”

In 1938, Alabama became the first state to protect alligators. Almost 50 years later, alligators were removed from the endangered species list, though they remain a federally protected species.

As with most wildlife, follow a simple rule of thumb with alligators: Don’t feed them. Alligators accustomed to being fed can seek food in unnatural locations, which can result in unwanted human interaction. It’s also illegal to feed alligators.

Also be aware of your surroundings when swimming or near water in areas where alligators are known to live.

“People should definitely be mindful in the water when you may not be paying as much attention,” said Rachel Hokanson, a surgical assistant at HAS. “They are going to see you first in the water. Safety first.”

The DCNR also said to be wary of allowing pets near water where alligators known to be because a pet’s movements can attract attention.