Coastal town becoming NC alligator capital, notching another capture while setting weekly records

SOUTHPORT, N.C. (WNCN) — A coastal Brunswick County town is becoming the alligator capital of North Carolina — with another gator complaint Monday forcing officers to relocate the reptile.

Southport, located near the mouth of the Cape Fear River, has already broken two weekly records for nuisance gators since mid-May

The first weekly record was set by May 18 with nine gator relocation calls in Southport, about 12 miles south of Wilmington. Then, for the first week of June, there was another record — with at least 10 gator relocations, according to the Southport Police Department.

Mixed in between the records and since the start of June, at least five more alligators have been found in pools, yards, and prowling throughout the town, police said.

Monday morning, the Southport Police Chief pitched in after a rather large alligator somehow found himself in a fenced backyard — and police were called to deal with the reptile.

“Homeowners awoke to the alligator roaming around in their backyard,” Southport police said.

Crews arrived at the home in the 400 block of Stuart Avenue with a large plastic “pipe” with caps on each end — perfect for capturing and then transporting the alligator.

On Monday, Southport Animal Protection Services Officer Marshall, Officer McLamb, Lt. Burgess, and Police Chief Coring assisted with the capture and later release.

Officers always remind residents to contact animal control about nuisance gators, keep your distance, and never feed alligators.