The Cape Fear River watershed is an incredibly rich and diverse ecosystem, home to a wide range of plant and animal life, including ancient cypress trees, alligators, otters, black bear, a large variety of birds and a host of fish species.
Are there alligators in Wilmington?
WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, N.C. (WNCN) — A North Carolina family was stunned to see an alligator in the surf at an island near Wilmington last week. A large alligator was swimming in the ocean at Masonboro Island last Friday and Marcus Tooker captured video and photos of the rare sight.
Are there a lot of alligators in Wilmington NC?
They have been spotted in neighborhood retention ponds, on area beaches, and walking the streets of Wilmington. Several dozen have been counted at Orton Pond in Brunswick County. “This is the northern range of their territory,” says Alicia Davis, a biologist with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.
Can you swim in the Cape Fear River?
“Whenever someone says they’re heading to the river to swim, remind them to be extremely careful,” said Erwin police Chief Jonathan Johnson. “Even when the Cape Fear looks calm, it can be dangerous.” Dangerous enough to have claimed more lives than any other river in the state, except in the case of a hurricane.
Are there sharks in the Cape Fear River?
WILMINGTON — Yes, there are sharks in the Cape Fear River.
Are there alligators or crocodiles in Wilmington North Carolina?
WILMINGTON — Although not as common a sight in North Carolina as it is in other Southeastern states, the American Alligator, or Alligator mississippiensis, inhabits a large swath of land ranging from Brunswick County, all the way to Gates County at the northern end of the state, and as far west as Robeson County.
Are there alligators at Wrightsville Beach?
WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, N.C. (WNCN) – A North Carolina family was stunned to see an alligator in the surf at one of their favorite beaches. The large alligator was swimming in the ocean at Masonboro Island last week.
Are there gators in Cape Fear River?
Alligators are concentrated in the lower Cape Fear and Neuse River Valleys but roam over much of the Coastal Plain south of the 36th parallel, which splits Albemarle Sound lengthwise.
What to do if you see an alligator in the water?
Hold very still. If you are in the water and you see an alligator passing by, stay as still as possible until it has moved on, then get out of the water immediately. If you can avoid drawing attention to yourself, chances are the gator will leave you alone.
Does Alligator River in NC have alligators?
It also has concentrations of ducks, geese, and swans. The wildlife diversity includes wading birds, shorebirds, American woodcock, raptors, black bears, alligators, white-tailed deer, raccoons, cottontail rabbits, bobwhite quail, northern river otters, red wolves, red-cockaded woodpeckers, and neotropical migrants.
Why is Cape Fear River so dirty?
The Cape Fear River is polluted by more than PFAS, including agricultural runoff and coal ash. Ferguson describes figuring out which chemical is causing the problems as an environmental Whack-a-Mole: “We identify one problem, and three more pop up.”
Why is Wilmington called Cape Fear?
The name comes from the 1585 expedition of Sir Richard Grenville. Sailing to Roanoke Island, his ship became embayed behind the cape. Some of the crew were afraid they would wreck, giving rise to the name Cape Fear.
How deep is the Cape Fear River in Wilmington NC?
42 feet deep
That’s because the shipping channel in the Cape Fear River is not deep enough. The channel, which runs 26 miles from the docks to the open ocean, is 42 feet deep at the lowest low tide.
Are there dolphins in the Cape Fear River?
“There is a small group of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins documented year-round in the Wilmington area,” she said. “These ‘residents’ represent animals adapted for truly coastal living and can be spotted in the marshes and close to shore – even in the Cape Fear River – usually in small groups of three to five animals.”
Does Wilmington NC have sharks?
Atlantic sharpnose sharks (Rhizoprionodon terraenovae) are among the most common in North Carolina waters. The adults can reach 4 feet in length and are found both in estuarine and oceanic waters, usually during the summer and autumn.
Where are the most shark attacks in NC?
Sunset Beach Pier in Brunswick County, North Carolina, has a recorded 17 shark attacks, the highest in the state.
How far north are alligators found?
American alligators can be found in the coastal wetlands of the U.S. Southeast, as far north as North Carolina and as far west as eastern Texas. Their range extends down to southern Florida and includes the Everglades.
Do alligators eat people?
It’s never a good idea to get purposefully close to an alligator, tempt, or provoke it in any way. However, alligator attacks are fairly rare—and they eat people even less commonly. Only a small fraction of attacks are deadly, and often the remains are found intact after an attack.
Where in NC Are there alligators?
In North Carolina, they inhab- it freshwater areas mostly east of Robeson County northward to Gates County. The largest populations live in the coastal coun- ties of Brunswick, New Hanover, Craven, Onslow and Pender.
Are there alligators in Carolina beach North Carolina?
Alligators have been spotted on occasion at the Carolina Beach State Park, and particularly close to the local marina. What are the habitats within the Carolina Beach State Park? The Carolina Beach State Park is unique in that its coastal locale features a wide array of habitats.
Are there alligators in Leland NC?
LELAND, NC (WWAY) — People across the Cape Fear have been reporting alligator sightings left and right lately, but one gator is making itself at home in a Leland neighborhood. Many people living in Magnolia Greens know about the neighborhood alligator and for the most part are welcoming of the wildlife.