The Coast Guard is investigating reports of an oil spill Tuesday in the mouth of Charleston Harbor, S.C., and surrounding beaches. Several mariners reported an oil sheen and tar balls, emulsified petroleum products, in the mouth of Charleston Harbor, between Fort Moultrie, Morris Island and on both Sullivan’s Island, S.C., and Folly Beach, S.C.

A 77-year-old man has lost his lower arm after he was bitten by an alligator on a coastal South Carolina golf course. Multiple media outlets reported that the Fripp Island man was playing the Ocean Creek Golf Course about 3 p.m. Thursday when he was attacked. His name was not released.

It’s time for South Carolina shrimpers to set their eyes and hopes on a big haul. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources South Carolina’s 2009 shrimp baiting season opens at noon on Friday.

A reward is up to $4,000 reward for turning in the person responsible for mutilating an alligator in Columbia County. WJBF News Channel 6’s Paige Tucker reports.

An update to a story we first brought you a few months ago. Four years ago, a massive 10-foot long alligator, given the name ‘Big Boy’, took up residency in the pond behind Brown Feed and Seed, in Evans. ‘Big Boy’ became quite a sight…many would stop by just to take pictures of him. But, now some sad and very disturbing news to bring you. Over the weekend, ‘Big Boy’ was killed by poachers. WJBF News Channel 6’s Barclay Bishop has the details. UPDATE: A reward totalling $3,500 has been offered in the mutilation of ‘Big Boy’.

The driver of a boat that capsized in a South Carolina and killed three people has been ticketed for safety violations. Multiple media outlets reported Thursday that Tiffany Tucker was cited for failing to have proper flotation devices in the 14-foot boat that was carrying six people when it capsized near Sandy Island on Feb. 18.

A 10-foot-long alligator decided to take a stroll on a South Carolina highway and ended up creating an overnight traffic headache. WTOC-TV reports that the gator was trying to cross U.S. 17 in Hardeeville, at the southern tip of the state, around 12:30 a.m. Monday.

Tybee Island officials say they found an unwelcome visitor on Georgia’s largest public beach - a 9-foot, 300-pound alligator.

According to Columbia County EMA Director Pam Tucker, a bear report was received Thursday morning from a Columbia county resident saying two bear cubs were seen on the playground at Blue Ridge Commons, around 2:00 a.m.

A black bear is making tracks in Columbia County. Count on WJBF News Channel 6’s Fraendy Clervaud for the latest updates on the location of the bear. Visit Name The Bearto vote on the bear’s name. The winning name will be announced during our Friday, June 19th, 6:00 p.m. newscast.

A black bear has been spotted by several neighbors in Columbia County. WJBF News Channel 6’s Paige Tucker caught up with the family whose backyard was the bear’s playground for a while, Monday morning.

Want to bag a gator this hunting season? Make sure you get your application in on time. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources says Monday is the deadline for applying for an alligator hunting license.

Residents in Columbia County Georgia have spotted another bear. It’s the second such sighting in as many weeks. Reports are coming in from Stevens Creek Road to Evans To Locks Road. Columbia County EMA Director Pam Tucker says crews from DNR have been notified. If you see the bear, don’t try to contact it and stay indoors. If you have any pictures or video you’d like to share, email it to us at . A viewer, Andrew Bryan, has sent in several pictures from his yard, off Stevens Creek Road.

According to Columbia County EMA Director Pam Tucker, a Columbia County employee had an unusual experience coming into work, Thursday morning. As the employee drove down Baker Place Road from Wrightsboro Road, she spotted a black bear in a big field in the area just before I-20 crosses Baker Place Road.

Georgia’s parks are being hit with steep budget cuts that will hike fees and cause some sites to reduce their hours just as the summmer recreation season gets underway.