Latest news with #GeorgiaDepartmentofNaturalResources'WildlifeResourcesDivision
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Georgia is gatorland too: State raises awareness about alligator population and safety
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources' Wildlife Resources Division is encouraging residents to get 'GatorWise' as the warm weather attracts more people outside. 'It's a great time to remind everyone that it is normal to see alligators moving around and basking in rivers, ponds and lakes in the southern part of the state,' said Kara Nitschke, WRD's state alligator biologist. 'Alligators are native to Georgia and are critical to the health and balance of our ecosystems, so being GatorWise means we know how to modify our behavior to minimize any potential conflict.' Georgia is home to an estimated population of around 225,000 alligators. They're concentrated largely along and below the south fall line, which roughly connects Columbus, Macon, and Augusta. An increasing number have been spotted in Middle Georgia in recent years, especially within the Chattahoochee River The program GatorWise was developed in collaboration with multiple states to increase public information about alligators and responsible behavior around them to minimize conflict with humans. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Below are the GatorWise basics: Assume Alligators are Present: Alligators can live in any water body in their range. They are good at hiding and may be found in places where you have never seen them, especially after storms or floods. Keep your distance. Never Feed Alligators: Feeding alligators on purpose or by accident is illegal in Georgia. This is because this action can cause alligators to associate people with food and lose their natural fear of people. Don't Dispose of Fish or Food Scraps in the Water: Throwing fish scraps in the water is one of the most common ways people unintentionally feed alligators. Properly dispose of bait, fish scraps and food items. Never Harass, Capture or Handle an Alligator: Approaching, capturing or handling alligators puts you at risk. 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 prey. Keep pets on a leash and away from the water's edge. Supervise small children near the water. Maintain Awareness: Observe alligator warning signs. Stay away from the water if you see an alligator. Avoid swimming in areas with dense vegetation and only swim during daylight hours. Compared to Florida, there have been far fewer alligator attacks in Georgia. According to Georgia WRD, there were nine reported cases from 1980 to July 2023. Six happened because a person stepped on or otherwise made contact with a submerged alligator. The remaining three, WRD says, likely happened because an alligator mistook the person for prey. Officials stress that the animals are an important part of their ecosystems, helping to maintain prey species' populations and shape habitats. Since the gators have recovered from near extinction, hunting is allowed, but with licenses and restrictions. For more information on Alligators, population management, and hunting, visit >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘Be Bearwise:' Black bears begin waking from hibernation, Georgia DNR says
Spring is in the air and that means in addition to pollen, we're about to see more of Georgia's native wildlife. According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, that means black bears are waking from hibernation. 'As expected, bears are going to be hungry when they emerge from their wintering locations, and that means getting easy-to-obtain food as soon as possible,' Adam Hammond, Georgia Department of Natural Resources' Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) State Bear Biologist, said. 'Don't let your home become a bear buffet! Become familiar with the BearWise Basics to help keep bears away from homes and businesses, creating a healthier and safer living situation for everyone.' [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: Man accused of killing teen carrying his child granted bond again Georgia among top 15 most stressed states in US Some metro Atlanta grocery store owners say prices on imported food set to spike The black bear, called a symbol of the state's natural diversity, is the only type of bear in Georgia, according to DNR. The department calls it a conservation success story. While it is currently the most common species of bear on the continent of North America, it wasn't always thriving the way it is now. 'The species was nearly eradicated from Georgia in the 1930s due to unregulated hunting, illegal harves and large-scale habitat loss,' DNR said. 'Bears that have access to human-provided foods often become dependent upon people, leading to destructive behavior and may lead to the bear's demise,' Hammond said. 'Ensuring your home and community are free of bear attractants, like pet food and bird seed, helps keep bears from remaining in the area and avoiding this cycle.' Now, the black bear population has been restored, with about 4,100 bears believed to live in the state. Here are the 'at-home BearWise Basics' for handling Black bears waking from hibernation and looking for food: NEVER FEED OR APPROACH BEARS: Feeding bears (intentionally or unintentionally) trains them to approach homes and people for more food. Bears will defend themselves if a person gets too close, so don't risk your safety and theirs! SECURE FOOD, GARBAGE AND RECYCLING: Food and food odors attract bears so don't reward them with easily available food or garbage. REMOVE BIRD FEEDERS WHEN BEARS ARE ACTIVE: Birdseed and other grains have a high calorie content making them very attractive to bears. The best way to avoid conflicts with bears is to remove feeders during active bear sightings. NEVER LEAVE PET FOOD OUTDOORS: Feed outdoor pets portion sizes that will be completely eaten during each meal and then remove leftover food and food bowl. Securely store these foods so nothing is available to bears. CLEAN AND STORE GRILLS: After you use an outdoor grill, clean it thoroughly and make sure that all grease and fat is removed. Store cleaned grills and smokers in a secure area that keeps bears out. ALERT NEIGHBORS TO BEAR ACTIVITY: Share news with your friends and neighbors about recent bear activity and how to avoid bear conflicts. Bears have adapted to living near people; are you willing to adapt to living near bears? [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Officials warn that invasive snails can harm your health as well as Georgia wildlife
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources' Wildlife Resources Division are encouraging anglers, boaters, and visitors to lakes across the state to help prevent the spread of invasive snail species. They say these species can harbor a type of worm that can potentially cause illness in humans if eaten. In a recent cooperative study, the department partnered with Dr. Tyler Achatz's parasitology lab at Middle Georgia College, and examined two species of invasive aquatic snails, the apple and mystery snail, for various parasites. The snails were collected from multiple locations around the state and tested for the presence of various parasites. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The tests confirmed a low-level presence of rat lungworm in both species. The parasite can be transmitted to people when snails or slugs are eaten raw or undercooked. Though an infection of rat lungworm is very low, in extremely rare cases, infection can lead to eosinophilic meningitis, with complications including the possibility of death. The Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control says the parasite does not replicate in humans and cannot transmit between humans. For more information on invasive species, including apple and mystery snails, and how to report sightings, visit TRENDING STORIES: US Postal Service says it has suspended inbound packages from China, Hong Kong Atlanta-based designer featured in Target campaign feels 'gaslit' after DEI changes Former DA breaks down as she testifies in illegal interference trial over handling of Arbery case [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
