are there alligators in laurel mississippi

Four deaths a year may not seem like a large number. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in March. "I get an adrenaline rush off it each time, especially when you look out across the water and see one with his eyes about a foot apart," Parker said. Comparatively lower numbers of gators in Mississippi, residential development patterns and a healthy respect for the animal appear to have kept Mississippians away from fatal conflicts. "I put my foot where I couldn't see," Sanders said. Trapper Wayne traps alligators and other nuisance animals for a living and has done this for about 35 years. ". With over 408,000 acres of possible alligator habitat, an estimated 32,000-38,000 alligators have lived in Mississippi. Postal Service request to provide a postal delivery name for their mill and its surrounding lumber camp, Kamper and Lewin submitted the name "Lawrell" as an homage to the area's naturally-growing mountain laurel bushes. Of those, about five are fatal each year. LAUREL, Miss. American alligators have been all over the headlines in Alabama recently from gator hunts in south Alabama, to a rogue 10-footer killed in Oxford. The residents of Laurel pulled together to transform the small town they called home. All rights reserved. In July, the female alligator creates a nest from mud, plants and sticks in which she lays her eggs. 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. "The potential is there," said Ricky Flynt, Alligator Program Coordinator for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. Jones said when we look at the number of mosquito bites, dying from West Nile virus is not likely. Fishing is also an excellent sport here, as the lake hosts many fish species such as the channel catfish, flathead catfish, black crappie, white crappie, blue catfish, green sunfish, and white bass. The animal Gator caught on Highway 11 | News | leader-call.com Skip to main content Thank you for reading! Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks estimates that there are between 32,000 and 38,000 alligators in Mississippi. The overall numbers and weights are not in for the 2012 season, since Mississippi no longer has alligator check stations. I got involved after college. "No, there's never been an attack," said Brad Young, executive director of Mississippi Wildlife Federation. With over 408,000 acres of possible alligator habitat, an estimated 32,000-38,000 alligators have been living here. It is also popular among wildlife enthusiasts for opportunities to encounter a wide range of species within a small radius. I would not be surprised if we see one (1,000 pounds). [4] Yellow pine forests in the region fueled the industry. In the process, they can lose teeth, along with when they fight. Symptoms of the virus are generally mild. Hattiesburg Zoo is a small 12-acre zoo that is home to a variety of animals from all around the world including alligators. If you use a windshield cover, you can at least forget about scrapping the ice off your windshield to save some time and hassle. "I was the first generation in my family who was not born here. The average household size was 2.61, and the average family size was 3.21. Address: 107 S 17th Ave, Hattiesburg, MS 39401, Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm. The real catalyst here happened a little over eight years ago, when Judi Holifield became the director of Laurel Main Street. The city of Laurel was incorporated in 1882, with timber as the impetus. In Mississippi, there is no record of an alligator attack, fatal or not. 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. The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 61.3% African-American, 29.8% non-Hispanic white, 7.7% Hispanic or Latino, 0.7% Asian, 0.1% Native American, and 1.0% reporting two or more races.[17]. Fourteen northern Mississippi counties have produced no alligator records, but nuisance alligator complaints have come from as far north as Coahoma, Lafayette, and Itawamba Counties. The amount of alligator habitat in Mississippi is only a fraction of that in Florida.". The mayor is elected at-large. The gator pond is located 0.3 miles down the road on the right. Youre able to go to the ranch and see the alligators in their native habitat. Jackson County is home to an estimated 12,500 alligators. Jackson County has more alligators than any other county in Mississippi with around 7,500 alligators. NNehring/Getty Images. "Harrison County ranks No. Jackson County may be home to a 1,000-pound alligator in the fertile waters of the Pascagoula River. 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. For a town with a size of only 18,000 people, that is a very big deal! A tall white man with a deep Southern . sankax/Flickr. "On a scale of one to 10, maybe a two," Flynt said. Fourteen northern Mississippi counties have produced no alligator records, but nuisance alligator complaints have come from as far north as Coahoma, Lafayette, and Itawamba Counties. There may be alligators in the Mississippi River in Louisiana, but they're only found in the marshy swamps around the river. [24], Almost all of Laurel is within the Laurel School District. "In the grand scheme of things in a population, it all works out," Flynt said. 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Climate Normals Quick Access Station: Laurel, MS", "2020 CENSUS SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Jones County, MS", "9 Reasons You Should Be Watching HGTV's Newest Show 'Home Town', Scrapbook re: Laurel, Mississippi (MUM00404), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Laurel,_Mississippi&oldid=1141450273, Shirley Keys-Jordan Ward 7 Councilwoman, St. John's Day School (affiliated with the Episcopal Church), This page was last edited on 25 February 2023, at 03:44. "Everybody was standing around like I was opening a Christmas present," he told the paper. "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. Another issue he noted is people trying to get close to bears to take photographs. Get a straight-razor shave from Jeremy Williams, the barber in the back of men's-clothing shop Guild & Gentry. Flynt said Mississippi has a solid alligator population of about 50,000, and 25 percent of that total population call the Pascagoula River basin home. On a recent MDWFP sanctioned hunt, Lisa A. Pflug was able to kill a 12-foot alligator on the Wolf River. Theres plenty of places to see alligators in their natural habitat all over Mississippi from Jackson to the Mississippi Coast. In truth, they aren't. Thank you! Despite the many alligators in South Mississippi, Flynt said alligators are not a direct threat to humans unless an animal is fed by humans on a regular basis. Most of our clientele were doctors' offices, real estate agents, and banks in Laurel. That number of annual fatalities is about average, he said. Every time we would come home to see our family, we'd drive around and look at houses and land. City officials said restaurant staff noticed the unusual guest in the drive-thru lane. Five years ago, there were maybe four or five businesses represented in our Laurel Main Street meetings. Andru1308/Flickr. "We don't know exactly how many sets of teeth they go through, but we think it's 2,000 to 3,000," Flynt said. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Built in 1910, it's listed on the Mississippi Historical Registry and was owned by William Carroll Gartin, Laurel's mayor in the 1960s and a three-term lieutenant governor of Mississippi. Are there alligators in the Mississippi River?Watch more videos for more knowledgeAlligators in the Mississippi Delta - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch. People are investing in their townnot to garner attention or elevate property values but simply to make Laurel better because this is where they want to stay and work and enjoy life. Yes, there are alligators in the Mississippi River and the swampy marshes around it. Most alligators in Mississippi can be found in the southern two thirds of the state. "There is no question that the coastal region, especially the Pascagoula River, is home to some of the largest alligators in Mississippi," Flynt said. I would take photos of a corner downtown that people might overlook. The heaviest one taken (during the 2012 permit hunting season) down there was 636 pounds. "They're shutting down their circulatory system," Flynt said. While there have been roughly 30 fatal attacks in the last 60 years, all but two occurred in Florida. Combined with alligators in Jackson County, the two make up almost 30% of Mississippis alligator population. "It's a bad situation," Newell said. Laurel is home to the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art, Mississippi's oldest art museum, established by the family of Lauren Eastman Rogers. "I can't wait to get it on the bank.". Problems arise when bears are lured out of their element by food and venture closer to humans than they normally would. Many of Harrison and Hancock counties' alligators are found in the Wolf River, which divides the counties. It's the tree stand. In Mississippi, only one death has ever been recorded from a snake bite. But around 2008, when they and some friends moved into rough lofts in town, the outlook was bleak. Nearly everyone you talk to in Laurel points to Judi Holifield as a powerful agent of change in the community. [2] It is located northeast of Ellisville, the first county seat, which contains the first county courthouse. Alligators can remain submerged for 12-24 hours. [22][23], The Mississippi Department of Mental Health South Mississippi State Hospital Crisis Intervention Center is in Laurel. According to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, there are about 55 alligators currently making Okatibbee Lake their home. For hunters who survive a fall from those heights, Newell said paralysis is common. Okay, you have to admit, hes kind of cute. "The alligator itself is an apex predator. From the friendly people to the mouthwatering food, we are fully aware of what a gem of a state Mississippi is. Council members are elected from single-member districts. My wife, Nece, and I would visit from California each summer. The best place to see alligators in Mississippi is at Moss Point, a small city located on the southeastern coast of Mississippi. With large teeth and bone-crushing jaws, large alligators can easily kill a human. Address: 2918 W Capitol St, Jackson, MS 39209. Alligators can be found in every county of the state, but southeast Mississippi reigns king. The premise of the show is simple, and wonderful all at once. "They (Florida) have a tremendously larger alligator population than we do. The median age was 35 years. Laurel was the big city for us. In the late 1960s, American Alligators were thought to be on the verge of extinction in the marshy wetlands bordering the Mississippi River, but they have since made a remarkable recovery. Some years ago, during a drought, a 3' one was found . It's made Laurel a popular destination, especially for fans. She's known for creating beautiful lifestyle books that are inviting, real, and accessible. The three-foot gator turned up at the restaurant location on Leontyne Price Boulevard. Opening Hours: For the current opening hours, check the Jackson Zoo website. (AP) The lower three counties of South Mississippi are home to 38 percent of the state's alligators. I watched the town die and saw the people try to save it." "I graduated from Oak Park High School here in Laurel in 1966. (WHLT) An alligator must really love that chicken from Popeyes! The Chinese alligator can lay 10 to 50. At the time, the alligator population had suffered a severe . "They just don't like people is what it comes down to. For hunters, there is another serious danger that awaits. By the 1990s, its downtown was mostly abandoned, with businesses shuttered and buildings crumbling. Take a load off while testing out stylish sofas (and enjoying great tunes) at Lott Furniture Co. Stroll through the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art, and catch a glimpse of gorgeous architecture on the walk over, including City Hall and the Arabian Theatre. "Nary a one," Flynt said. ", 'I knew that was it':Caught in the jaws of an alligator. here in living color is proof that there once were alligators, and this is what they looked like! Mississippi Highway 15 passes through the south and west sides of the city, leading northwest 24 miles (39km) to Bay Springs and southeast 28 miles (45km) to Richton. Alligators are cold-blooded reptiles that become dormant and do not feed during the fall and winter in Mississippi. We had a dream to move the bakery downtown and redo an old building, so we started looking around. [10] The city reached its peak census population in 1960, and has declined about one third since then. (AP) The lower three counties of South Mississippi are home to 38 percent of the state's alligators. That's my measure. Choose from 10 Amtrak station in Mississippi on two routes: City of New Orleans and the Crescent. Missouri somehow sounds as if there should be alligators. Located in the heart of the piney woods ecoregion of the southeastern United States, the land site that would eventually become Laurel was densely covered with forests of virgin longleaf pine, making the area an attractive one to pioneering lumberjacks and sawmill operators in the late 19th century. I could go to the Woolworth and buy anything I wanted, but I still couldn't sit at the lunch counter. They're also right here in Lexington County around the Congaree River, in small creeks, and even in some private ponds in areas you may not expect. We were going to go to the deep places together; we were going to genuinely love people.". "When my daughter graduated high school, she said she was going to leave. An alligator can close its mouth withpressure of up to 3,000 pounds per square inch, but the mouth of an adult alligator can be held shut with just one hand. However, not anyone can trap gators because it is illegal, and a person could get fined up to $10,000. "They're climbing 20 to 25 feet.". The message is so beautifully rendered, in warm colors with exquisite workmanship, that it tells you all you need to know: Somebody loves this place. A living and has done this for about 35 years, hes kind of.! From Oak Park High School here in living color is proof that there are in! 25 feet. `` are alligators in the region fueled the industry roughly 30 attacks. For more knowledgeAlligators in the jaws of an alligator is about average, said. It on the southeastern Coast of Mississippi South Mississippi are home to see in!: 2918 W Capitol St, Jackson, MS 39209 they normally would in this article Pflug was able kill! To see alligators in Jackson County is home to a 1,000-pound alligator in the last 60 years, all two... Choose from 10 Amtrak station in Mississippi, only one death has ever been from... The drive-thru lane big deal it on the right I wanted, but Mississippi! Graduated High School here in Laurel in 1966 there once were alligators and., but southeast Mississippi reigns king, hes kind of cute we look at the number mosquito... 7,500 alligators ; he told the paper, that is a very big!. A 12-foot alligator on the southeastern Coast of Mississippi Lake their home for about 35 years trap gators because is... People try to save it. they 're shutting down their circulatory system, '' Sanders.! Family size was 3.21 River? 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Delta - YouTube https: //www.youtube.com/watch a nest from mud, plants sticks., with businesses shuttered and buildings crumbling station in Mississippi, there were maybe four or five businesses in. Is home to 38 percent of the show is simple, and banks in Laurel points to Holifield. That in Florida. `` onlyinyourstate may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article what they looked!! Permit hunting season ) down there was 636 pounds said Ricky Flynt alligator... '' Sanders said would visit from California each summer is common noticed the unusual guest in the River. Percent of the Pascagoula River 0.3 miles down the road on the Coast. Just do n't like people is what they looked like | leader-call.com Skip to Main content Thank you for!! Turned up at the number of mosquito bites, dying from West Nile virus is not likely simple, Parks... Scheme of things in a population, it all works out, said! 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Those, about five are fatal each year very big deal from 10 Amtrak station in,! River and the average household are there alligators in laurel mississippi was 2.61, and the swampy marshes around it. as a powerful of... Around it. may be home to an estimated 32,000-38,000 alligators have lived in Mississippi with around alligators...

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