Security cameras inside a North Carolina bagel shop recorded a three-foot-long alligator walking through the back door, heading past the stockroom, and approaching the front counter. The unexpected visitor startled workers and patrons, with one customer picking up a chair to defend against the animal.
Bagel Shop Intrusion
The reptile entered the Bagel Dock Express in Southport last Thursday, and the business later published footage of the incident. Shop owner Jesse Driscoll explained to a local news outlet that the occurrence was entirely unusual for the establishment. He noted that while standard visitors and friends often stop by, he never expected to encounter an alligator. At the time of the walk-in, Driscoll was busy installing a new oven.
Southport police officers and animal protective services arrived to handle the situation, successfully capturing and relocating the creature, which is likely a federally protected American alligator. The Southport police department announced on social media that local officers and an animal protective service worker removed the animal from the shop late in the afternoon.
Rising Encounters
Earlier in the year, the North Carolina wildlife resources commission issued a warning to coastal visitors and residents, instructing them to avoid feeding or interacting with local alligators. Commission biologists reported receiving multiple calls daily regarding public encounters as alligator activity rose during the mating season.
Although the bagel shop event took place outside of mating season, district wildlife biologist John Henry Harrelson stated that human-alligator interactions are on the rise across coastal regions. Feeding alligators causes the animals to view humans as potential food providers, Harrelson explained. He added that while alligators are naturally timid, being fed diminishes their warfulness around people, which increases the risk of negative encounters.
To address the growing number of sightings, the wildlife agency created GatorWise, an awareness checklist for residents. The guidelines recommend assuming alligators inhabit an area, never feeding them, avoiding the disposal of food or fish scraps in water bodies, and never harassing or handling the animals. The checklist also urges people to supervise children and pets carefully and remain alert near water.
Following the event, Bagel Dock Express posted a lighthearted remark on social media, suggesting that news about their fresh bagels had finally reached the local swamp.
