What to do as bears and alligators begin coming out of hibernation

CASTLE HAYNE, NC (WWAY) — With the weather starting to warm, animals like bears and alligators will start coming out of hibernation very soon.

Bears usually hibernate between November and April, often finding places like bushes, trees, and even manmade structures to stay warm.

Clayton Ludwick, a lieutenant with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, said to not interact or feed bears or gators coming out of hibernation, as interactions with humans are dangerous and will make them more likely to seek out humans in the future.

Ludwick said if you do come upon a bear or gator in an area close to your home, you can reach out to the Commission and they will help relocate the animal to a better location for it.