are there alligators in laurel mississippi
The Wausau-Southern mill from Wausau, Wisconsin, followed in 1911, and the Marathon mill from Memphis, Tennessee, in 1914. When speaking of alligators, Mississippi is one of the most alligator-infested places in the country. By Danielle Claro Updated on October 1, 2022 In This Article View All Reviving Interest in Laurel Laurel Main Street Renews the Town The People Changing Laurel, Mississippi Where to Eat Where to Visit The numbers vary among different sources, but most indicate there have been about 60 deaths from black bear attacks in North America since 1900 and just over 20 of those happened in the United States. Flynt expects the Pascagoula River to once again produce the so-called trophy alligator, which would top 600 pounds and 10-feet long, despite Hurricane Isaac dropping nearly 20 inches of rainfall on the area during the final weeks of the season. I do believe 1,000-pounders could be there.". My husband, Joseph, would deliver before and after work and all weekend. It is one of the two extant species in the genus Alligator, and is larger than the only other living alligator species, the Chinese alligator . Estimates on the population vary, but biologists agree that Mississippi's black bear numbers are growing. As each person would retire, their stock would get bought by the other employees. Alligators are large reptiles with armored bodies, four short legs and a flat tail. Whena tooth breaks off, a new one grows to take its place. The zoo also runs a Gator Feeding session every Sunday at 1:30pm where you can watch the alligators being fed. The Top 4 Most Alligator-Infested Lakes In, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, A Complete History of Sharks in the Mississippi River. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. All rights reserved. Once considered an endangered species in the late 1960s, American Alligators have made a big comeback in the swampy marsh areas surrounding the Mississippi River. Alligators can also be found within the lake premises, with the most relevant sighting dating back to 2013 when festival-goers near the lake spotted and took a picture of a gator at Grenada Lake. Laurel is the headquarters of the Jones County Sheriff's Department, which administers in the county. ". As long as people and alligators have shared Mississippi, there have been people who hunted the creatures. "With 38 percent of the population being from down there and to have no attacks is good," Flynt said. That animal would likely come from the Pascagoula River basin that's filled with swamp grass, trees, baitfish and other animals. Four deaths a year may not seem like a large number. "When we all came home from collegeMallorie and Jim Rasberry, Emily and Josh Nowell, Ben, and mewe were the only people who lived downtown," Erin remembers. He is also one of the 25 people in the state that can legally trap alligators. On the broad side of a brick building, in old-timey type, it sends out a "Welcome!" Trapper Wayne'snuisance animal control made its biggest catch yet,an alligator that weighed over 700 pounds. It is estimated that there are just over 30,000 alligators in Mississippi, with most centralized in the southern portion of the state. "They're climbing 20 to 25 feet.". The Jackson Zoo currently has around 250 animals representing over 120 different species. Copyright 2016 WDAM. Mr. My mother had been here for so long that after a period of time, she owned all the stock. Interstate 59 and U.S. Route 11 pass through Laurel, both highways leading southwest 30 miles (48km) to Hattiesburg and northeast 57 miles (92km) to Meridian. "In a natural setting, a bear in the woods and you're walking in the woods, the chance of an encounter is slim to none. By the 1920sthe peak of Laurel's lumber productionthe area's four mills were producing a total of one million board feet of lumber per day. By the end of World War I, Laurel's mills were producing and shipping more yellow pine lumber than those of any other location in the entire world. Danielle Claro is a New York Times bestselling author, editor, and book coach who specializes in bringing esoteric topics down to earth. The gator was not harmed while being relocated. On December 28, 1954, an F3 tornado tore directly through the city, injuring 25 people.[12]. One of the most extended river systems in the country, the Mississippi River is home to many wildlife species such as the paddlefish, leopard frog, cottontail, blue catfish, beaver, coyote, white-tailed deer, otter, muskrat, and even alligators. It's part of the magic of this place, where a devoted mayor, Johnny Magee, and a bevy of inspired citizens live their deep commitment. "I said man, this beats everything I've ever seen," Wayne said. For the six of us, all in our twenties, it was like a game: How can we make downtown Laurel feel alive again? Check out the alligators of Hattiesburg Zoo in the video below: There have also been some reports of alligators in Laurel, Mississippi. Laurel is currently declining at a rate of -0.82% annually and its population has decreased by -2.41% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 17,161 in 2020. "I don't think a 1,000-pound alligator is out of the question," Flynt said. Ricky Flynt, alligator coordinator for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, said the estimated number of alligators in Hancock County is fewer than 5,000 and in Harrison County the number is fewer than 2,000. 28.9% of the population and 21.4% of families were below the poverty line. I watched the town die and saw the people try to save it." Wayne, an alligator trapper, said he had to put the. However, that's not typically the case as Flynt said there is usually a range of temperatures in a nest, producing a healthy mix of males and females. ContactBrian Broomat 601-961-7225 orbbroom@gannett.com. I'm an HGTV junkie, so one night I was hunched over my computer, and here came a new TV show, Home Townfirst season, first episode. I wasn't a businessperson; I'm just a mom. The Pascagoula River has a very large alligator population with estimates ranging from 7,500 to 12,500 this represents 25% of Mississippis total alligator population. The racial makeup of the city was 55.08% African American, 40.64% White, 0.33% Asian, 0.11% Native American, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 3.17% from other races, and 0.67% from two or more races. He leads a Laurel that's worlds away from the town of his childhood memories. Laurel has the second county courthouse as there are two judicial districts in Jones County. Common throughout North America, the Thin-Legged Wolf Spider will send chills down your spine just by looking at it! Despite the large population of alligators in South Mississippi, state wildlife officials say there has never been a reported alligator attack on humans. Their eyes, ears, and nostrils are placed on top of their long head and project slightly above the water when the reptiles float at the surface, as they . I got involved after college. After that sighting, specific cautions advise lake visitors to report to the authorities once they spot an alligator during their visit to the lake. Alligators have an ancestry dating back millions of years in the fossil record and have remained largely unchanged. From deer to alligators, theres no telling whats waiting outside your front door. 2023 www.clarionledger.com. In the window of a shop on Magnolia Street is the message "Bloom where you're planted." Hi, my name is Meg and, you guessed it, I love to travel. Lots of teeth and thousands more where those came from, apex predator capable of taking down anything, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks Alligator Program, 'A ferocious predator': Mississippi scientists uncover skeleton of ancient sea dragon, Why supplemental feeding may not have the effect hunters want, Fishweir, possibly hundreds of years old, found in Mississippi, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. By 1891, Kamper's company was on the verge of bankruptcy, leading Kamper to sell the mill and extensive land holdings in the area (more than 15,000 acres), to Clinton, Iowa, lumber barons Lauren Chase Eastman and George and Silas Gardiner, founders of the Eastman-Gardiner Company. Identifiable by its distinctive red and black coloring, the Wee Harlequin Bug is a member of the Stink Bug Family and will emit a revolting odor if threatened. The ants here in Mississippi definitely mean business. explained what items had to be ordered online, and gave hints about spending wisely. The population density was 1,192.3 people per square mile (460.2/km2). Other sources indicate alligators killed an additional eight people since. "When my daughter graduated high school, she said she was going to leave. After completing the purchase, Eastman and the Gardiner brothers decided to make substantial improvements to their Laurel lumber operations by constructing a new and much larger, state-of-the-art lumber mill. It's been an amazing journey. There have been several sightings of heavyweight alligators in the river. Youll see a variety of other animals at the Gulf Islands National Seashore in Ocean Springs such as lizards, snakes, turtles, raccoons, birds and much more. When it is warm, youll often see the alligators resting on the bank of the pond. The alligators are reaping the benefits of that, which results in abnormal specimens. I went to my car in tears, and I said to myself, 'Well, I guess I'm moving here.' 15. Affiliate Disclaimer: This article may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if a reader clicks through and makes a purchase. To find the gator pond, turn right onto Robert McGhee Road from Park Road. "Not only in terms of the overall numbers, but Jackson and Hancock counties rank as the top two counties for preferred habitat for alligators," Flynt said. According to Newsweek, it is estimated that there are around 1.3 million alligators in Florida. "Overall, I think we have a healthy population.". By the time an animal control officer showed up, the gator had taken cover under a pile of pallets next to the restaurants dumpster. "My mother was working at Lott Furniture Co. for 12 years before I was born. "In the grand scheme of things in a population, it all works out," Flynt said. You will recognize them from the latest hit show on HGTV. 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