Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is a popular destination for visitors coming to see wildlife, particularly the refuge’s large population of black bears. Unfortunately, refuge staff have recently witnessed and been notified of multiple incidents of black bears approaching vehicles with no fear of humans, even standing up next to cars or climbing on them. This high level of habituation by wild animals poses a danger to members of the public.
In order to protect public safety, the refuge is temporarily closing certain refuge roads to all entry effective July 31st. Reducing human presence in these areas will reduce the habituation of animals, help ensure safe wildlife observation distances, and avoid a potentially life-threatening incident between a bear and human.
Milltail Road will be closed between Sawyer Lake Road and Long Curve Road. Long Curve Road will be closed between Milltail Road and Grouse Road.
The Wildlife Drive along Sawyer Lake Road will remain open, as well as Grouse Road, Bear Road, Borrow Pit Road, and the southern portions of Long Curve Road. Visitors who wish to travel between Milltail Road and Grouse Road may use Highways 64 and Highway 264 or may take the slower route through the refuge via Butler, Koehring, and Long Curve Roads. The Refuge Road Conditions page provides additional recommended viewing routes on the refuge and provides updates on closures. Refuge maps are available on the refuge website, at the Coastal North Carolina National Wildlife Refuges Gateway Visitor Center, and at many entrances to the refuge.
When wild animals become accustomed to human presence, they lose their natural wariness and begin to approach people and vehicles. Habituated animals can pose significant dangers to humans, including increased risk of aggressive encounters, property damage, and disease transmission. Animals that associate humans with food or shelter are more likely to be struck by vehicles, suffer from stress-related health issues, or become involved in conflicts that require intervention. Unethical wildlife observation practices such as approaching too closely or feeding wildlife can contribute to high levels of habituation.
Refuge staff ask visitors to help protect yourself, others, and wildlife by following these bear safety guidelines and regulations:
- Give bears space. Keep 100 yards away from large wildlife. Even when in a car, approaching too closely can make bears lose their fear of vehicles, causing the kinds of dangerous behavior recently seen on the refuge. If a bear approaches you or your vehicle, move away or past the bear in order to re-establish 100 yard distance.
- Don't create a bear jam. Stopping in the middle of the road creates hazards for wildlife and impacts passage of other vehicles. When viewing a bear from your car, make sure it’s at a safe distance, pull over to the shoulder if allowed to do so, remain inside the vehicle, and move on from the bear quickly so as not to impede traffic.
- NEVER feed wildlife—not only is it unethical and harmful to animals, it is illegal on the refuge.
The BearWise program provides additional resources and tips for keeping yourself and bears safe.
The refuge will continue monitoring bear activity in these areas and elsewhere on the refuge and will adapt the closure as necessary to ensure public safety. Updates to the road closures will be posted on the refuge website and social media pages.
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