Safety & FAQ

Our purpose

North Alabama Gators exists to make the public aware of these awesome animals and to track their migration across North Alabama and the Tennessee Valley. Alligators have moved from the Wheeler Lake / I-65 corridor toward the base of Lake Guntersville Dam, John Hunt Park, and Aldridge Creek — closer to where people live.

We are especially interested in hearing about alligator sightings in these areas:

• Any part of the Flint River
• Any part of the Paint Rock River
• Any sighting near a home
• Any sighting in Lake Guntersville or near the Dam
• Any sighting near Bailey Cove Road
• Any sighting north of I-565
• Any sighting along southern Flint Creek
• Any sighting along the Elk River
• Any sighting north of US-72
• Any sightings in Tennessee

Your reports build the public record of that migration.

If you see an alligator

• Keep your distance — at least 60 feet. Never approach, feed, harass, or attempt to capture one. Feeding is illegal in Alabama and teaches gators to associate people with food.
• Keep pets leashed and away from the water's edge.
• Take photos from a safe distance, then report it here.
• If an alligator poses an immediate threat, call 911 or Alabama DCNR — this site is not an emergency service.

Why wasn't my photo verified?

A close-up of an alligator proves you saw an alligator — but not where. If your photo has no GPS data and no recognizable surroundings, moderators have no way to confirm the location you pinned. To help your sighting get verified:

• Take a second, wider shot showing landmarks — a bridge, boat ramp, shoreline feature, sign, or skyline.
• Keep location services enabled for your camera app so GPS is embedded in the photo.
• Upload the original photo. Texting and messaging apps usually strip GPS data — transfer directly from your phone's gallery.
• Note the nearest waterway, road, or landmark in your description.

Sightings without a verifiable location still appear on the map as community reports — they're just badged as unconfirmed.

What do the badges mean?

• Unconfirmed — a community report that hasn't been independently verified.
• Confirmed — a moderator verified the photo and location are plausible, or the sighting was confirmed in the field or by a wildlife authority.

Is my exact location shared?

Moderators can generalize locations near homes, schools, or sensitive wildlife areas. Your name and email are never shown publicly unless you opt in. You can delete your sightings and request account deletion anytime.