A massive alligator, roughly 15 feet long and estimated at about 400 pounds, briefly turned a Sunset Beach neighborhood into its personal crossing lane this week before officers muscled it back to safer waters, authorities said.
Police and animal control converged on the Sea Trail area Monday after a call about the roaming reptile. After a short but tense struggle, officers secured the gator and released it into a nearby lake, according to Sunset Beach police.
How Officers Described The Capture
Responding to a report of a gator in the roadway, Sunset Beach officers used snares and catch poles to bring the animal under control. The department estimated the reptile weighed about 400 pounds and noted that the capture happened during peak alligator mating season, when males are more active and more likely to wander, according to WXII.
Video, Measurements And Age
Police later posted a video on Facebook that shows the thrashing animal as officers and animal-control personnel work to subdue it. In the footage, the gator's tail is measured at about 32 inches in circumference, and officers estimate its age at 25 to 30 years. One animal-control officer called it the largest alligator he had handled in Sunset Beach, and animal-control staff ultimately released the reptile into a nearby lake, as reported by WRAL.
Safety Reminders And Seasonality
Wildlife officials note that May through June is peak alligator mating season, a time when larger males are more likely to move through neighborhoods and roadways. The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission also warns that feeding, touching or harassing alligators is illegal and can make the animals less wary of people. The agency recommends keeping at least 50 feet away from alligators and disposing of fish scraps and pet food so they do not attract wildlife, according to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.
Legal Note
State law makes it unlawful to intentionally feed alligators outside of captivity, a prohibition codified under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 113-291.11. The prohibition and related enforcement authorities are outlined by the N.C. General Assembly.
What Residents Should Do
Sunset Beach police urged anyone who spots an alligator in an unusual place to call the department or 911 and not to approach or attempt to move the animal. Only licensed trappers and NC Wildlife staff should handle relocations, the department emphasized in its reminders reported by WXII.
