Did you know that Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge has one of the highest densities of black bears ever recorded? If you’re lucky enough to spot one on the refuge, it's only human to get excited about seeing these amazing animals. Remembering refuge guidelines and safely navigating wildlife encounters is vital for the wellbeing of the wild animals.
Acclimating to the presence of people reduces animals’ normal elusiveness and fear responses. Instead of avoiding areas of human activity and fleeing at the sight of people, they may choose to approach people or remain closer than is natural. This may increase the likelihood of incidents that are detrimental to their survival, such as vehicle strikes.
Safe Viewing Guidelines
On a National Wildlife Refuge, the welfare of animals, plants, and their habitats comes first. Follow these viewing guidelines:
- Use binoculars or a zoom lens to view wildlife from a distance—at least 100 yards (the length of eight school buses).
- If wildlife approaches you, move back to stay 100 yards away.
- If animals react to your presence, you are too close.
- After watching an animal for a few minutes, move on so the animal has time to use that area without human presence.
- It’s illegal to feed, touch, tease, frighten, or intentionally disturb wildlife.
What do I do if I’m driving on the refuge and a bear is on the road ahead of me?
Stay in your vehicle and give the bear lots of space. If the bear is approaching closer than 100 yards (about 8 school buses), safely back up, slowly drive away, or take a detour. If the bear approaches close to your vehicle and you can’t back up, move steadily past and honk your horn or make noise to scare it away.
What if there is a bear crossing on a no stopping road?
There are currently restrictions prohibiting stopping, standing, or parking on several roads near the Creef Cut Units. Keep up with any road closures or restrictions on our current conditions page on the refuge website.
These prohibitions are intended to help reduce wildlife’s exposure and acclimation to people. Following the rules in these areas helps reduce wildlife’s habituation to people and dangerous human-wildlife encounters.
If there is a bear in the road on a no stopping road, evaluate your options for safely turning around, backing up, or detouring. If those aren’t options, continue to drive slowly and steadily forwards past the bear. If the bear does not move off the road as you approach, you may honk your horn to scare it off of the road and away from people. Even if other people are stopping or getting too close, you should take action to safely remove yourself from the dangerous situation. Navigating a bear encounter on the road using the guidelines above and using common sense will keep yourself, other visitors, and the bear safe.
The Ideal Bear Encounter
What does an ideal bear encounter look like? A refuge visitor spots a bear feeding, walking, or resting in the distance. The visitor finds a safe and legal place to pull to the side, stop, and enjoy watching or photographing the bear for a few minutes. Afterwards, the visitor moves on to see what else they can find! The visitor stays safe and ensures the bear can go about its business unbothered.
