Wildlife agencies in all 11 southeastern states where American alligators live launched a new program to help residents avoid conflicts with the animals.

North Carolina is the northern-most region of the American alligator's range in the U.S. The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission was one of the agencies responsible for launching GatorWise, an outreach initiative to promote living responsibly with alligators.

"As development continues to expand into once-remote areas where alligators live, we need to become GatorWise in order to safely share the land with this species," said NCWRC Wildlife Biologist Alicia Wassmer in a May 19 news release.

The program was modeled after the BearWise program launched in 2018. Here's what to know about alligators in N.C., six tips for staying GatorWise this summer and more.

Where in North Carolina do alligators live?

According to the May 19 news release, the NCWRC receives the majority of alligator-related calls to the Wildlife Hotline at 866-318-2401 from the state's two southernmost coastal counties, New Hanover and Brunswick.

The release added that human populations in the counties have doubled and tripled, respectively, since the species was delisted from the federal endangered species list in 1987.

"Urbanization is projected to increase at exponential rates in areas where alligator habitat occurs," said Wassmer. "This continuous conversion of natural spaces, coupled with a constant influx of newcomers who may not know that alligators are here or aren’t familiar with alligator behavior, have amplified the need for state wildlife resource agencies to proactively connect residents and visitors with vital information on how to coexist responsibly with the alligators that live in these communities."

The NCWRC's map of American alligator territory in NC.

How common are alligators in North Carolina?

The NCWRC website states that, while alligators are common in some coastal areas of the state, they are still considered State Threatened and Federally Threatened.

Charlie the Alligator swims around the waters at the Battleship North Carolina. KEN BLEVINS/STARNEWS FILE

Alligator safety

Modeled after the BearWise program, GatorWise is encouraging a set of tips to stay safe in alligator territory - which includes parts of N.C. Here are the GatorWise basics:

Assume alligators are present - Alligators can live in any body of water within their range. They are very good at hiding and will see you before you see them. There could be alligators in places where you have never seen them before, especially after storms or floods. The best way to stay safe around alligators is to keep your distance.
Never feed alligators - Feeding alligators on purpose or by accident may cause alligators to associate people with food. Intentionally feeding alligators is irresponsible, illegal in most states, and dangerous for you and others. Feeding other wildlife near water can attract alligators and cause alligators to lose their natural fear of people.
Don’t dispose of fish or food scraps in water - Throwing fish scraps in the water is one of the most common ways that people unintentionally feed alligators. Properly dispose of bait, fish scraps, and food items away from alligators and other wildlife.
Never harass, capture, or handle an alligator - Attempting to approach, capture, or handle alligators increases your risk of injury or death. These behaviors are irresponsible, illegal, and dangerous, regardless of the alligator’s size. View and photograph alligators from a distance.
Be responsible for people and pets in your care - Alligators do not know the difference between pets and their natural prey. Keep pets on a leash and away from the water’s edge. Supervise small children near water.
Maintain awareness anytime you are in or near water - Always observe alligator warning signs. Stay away from the water if you see an alligator and keep your distance from alligators you see (at least 60 feet), and avoid swimming in areas with dense vegetation, as alligators hide in vegetation in and around the water.

The release also encouraged swimming only during daylight hours, as alligators are most active between dusk and dawn, and immediately moving a safe distance away if approached by an alligator before reporting the situation to the appropriate authority.

Finally, the release warned that, during summer months, female alligators may protect nests and hatchlings from perceived threats, including people getting too close. To spot an alligator nest, look for a mound of mud, vegetation, sticks and leaves in a sheltered spot of near water. The NCRWC website states that alligator nests are 6-8 feet wide and 1.5-2 feet tall on average.

Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: How to stay 'GatorWise' this summer: Where alligators are found in NC, safety tips, more