Arkansas Game & Fish Commission joins other agencies on website for tips on living with alligators
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – South Arkansas has a lot of alligators and the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission has joined with other state agencies to provide tips on living with them.
AGFC officials said they have joined with 11 other southeast states to provide GatorWise.org. The site is designed to foster realistic public perceptions and promote responsible human behavior.
'Gigantic' alligator spotted in Sherwood off Highway 67 near Warden Road
AGFC Herpetologist Amanda Bryant says the project has been in the works for a while and has piggybacked off the success of another wildlife awareness project, BearWise.org.
'Some states are beginning to see an uptick in nuisance alligator reports and sightings, and some of these reports are simply that an alligator exists somewhere people hadn't seen one before,' Bryant said. 'Some states, like Florida, have done an excellent job of spreading awareness about alligator behavior and safety, and we wanted to work together to have a cohesive message throughout the American alligator's range.'
VIDEO: Alligator seen attacking a tire in floodwaters after Hurricane Milton
AGFC officials said the American alligator is native to Arkansas. However, it was once completely removed from Arkansas due to habitat degradation, overexploitation for their skins, and misguided fear toward these keystone wetland predators.
The AGFC worked with other agencies to restock alligators in their original native range in 1970-71, and the species has remained stable since then. The population is healthy enough to support a popular hunting season each year in June.
Arkansas hunters bring in 181 alligators during hunting season
As warm weather returns, GatorWise and AGFC officials remind Arkansans that it is normal to see alligators moving around and basking in rivers, ponds and lakes. Alligators are native to Arkansas and play a critical role in the health and balance of our ecosystems.
'If there is an alligator that is in an area where it creates a hazard, we do have resources to relocate the animal, thanks to the USDA APHIS Wildlife Services Department. Those alligators can be reported by calling 822-245-0315,' Bryant said.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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