Craven County Sheriff's Office in North Carolina had an unusual call late last week when they were alerted to an alligator in trouble on a highway.

The sheriff office's Animal Protective Services (APS) was called when an alligator was hit by a car while crossing Highway 70. In an incident that could have been much worse, the alligator suffered only minor injuries, but the event prompted a series of rescue responses from local authorities.

On Facebook, the APS said: "We received a call about an alligator that was crossing Highway 70 and got hit by a vehicle. Luckily, it only suffered minor injuries to its back leg and was okay."

The Animal Protective Services team worked closely with local experts to ensure the alligator's safety. They contacted NC Wildlife Resources Commission district biologist Chris Kent, who brought in biologist Deanna Noble and wildlife officers Biggerstaff and Jurkovski to help.

Together, they safely transported the alligator to a secure area and tagged it for tracking. This was an important step, as tracking helps authorities monitor the movements and health of local alligator populations, helping to maintain balanced ecosystems.

The sheriff's office also thanked the Craven County deputies who helped manage traffic and lift the hefty reptile. "We are grateful to the Craven County Sheriff's Office deputies for assisting with traffic control and lifting the heavy alligator," it said.

Alligators are native to North Carolina, especially in coastal areas like Craven County. While it's not common to see one crossing a busy highway, roadways cutting through natural habitats mean that encounters like this are becoming increasingly common.

Local residents were quick to show their appreciation on Facebook. Sheila Haller commented, "Thank y'all for what you do!!! We love you!!!" while Lisa Nelson simply added, "Great work!!" Another commenter, Vickie Ann, pointed out the bigger issue, saying, "Road going right thru their habitat and they are so confused."

While the animals are generally well-liked by locals and live in harmony alongside humans, some hunting of alligators occurs in North Carolina. Increased populations of both species, especially in southeastern counties, have led to a rise in nuisance alligator complaints.

In February 2018, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) adopted new rules regarding alligator management. According to these regulations, limited hunting of American alligators is now allowed, but only through population reduction hunts requested by municipalities in specific counties. The NCWRC does not issue permits for alligator hunting outside of these requested hunts.