For the six of us, all in our twenties, it was like a game: How can we make downtown Laurel feel alive again? Wayne, an alligator trapper,said he had to put the alligator down because it was too big to relocate. She brought together all the people of downtown to get to know each other and become friends. The large river and pristine drainage make its bayous an excellent habitat for alligators. Estimates on the population vary, but biologists agree that Mississippi's black bear numbers are growing. In the center of town, book a spacious room with soaring ceilings above Sweet Somethings Bakery. With over 408,000 acres of possible alligator habitat, an estimated 32,000-38,000 alligators have lived in Mississippi. We recently estimated that there are 32,000-38,000 alligators and about 408,000 acres of alligator habitat in Mississippi. The gator pond is located 0.3 miles down the road on the right. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! In 2007, a 5-footer was captured alive in Johnston County near Micro. In Mississippi, only one death has ever been recorded from a snake bite. Some years ago, during a drought, a 3' one was found . "I. Missouri somehow sounds as if there should be alligators. Laurel Police Chief Tommy Cox said more critters may turn up as rainy weather continues. A good field guide to reptiles can help you identify snakes and understand their habits. I'll take you.' Mr. Tallahoma Creek joins Tallahala Creek south of Laurel, and Tallahala Creek continues south to join the Leaf River, part of the Pascagoula River watershed. ", The Napiers and their friends were not the only ones making headway here. "Don't try to sneak up on the thing," Young said. [4] Yellow pine forests in the region fueled the industry. But there was a time in the 1990s when I felt like this was the only retail store downtown. Here in Mississippi, we like our tea cold and sweet. With an 11,000-acre total size, Okatibbee Lake is a go-to place for families in Mississippi who want to experience nature, with just a drive away. He plans to . "I still get a kick out of going out and getting them," Wayne said. With its area spanning ten states, it would be no surprise if locals or tourists reported alligator sightings near or within the river. Because alligators are. [22][23], The Mississippi Department of Mental Health South Mississippi State Hospital Crisis Intervention Center is in Laurel. "Harrison County ranks No. Laurel is the headquarters of the Jones County Sheriff's Department, which administers in the county. "They (Florida) have a tremendously larger. Use the checklist below to discover what mammals live in the Mississippi National . 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. The Pascagoula River is a wonder among many locals and tourists alike. "I can't wait to get it on the bank.". Theres many different places where you can see alligators in Mississippi both in the wild and in zoos. It is also popular among wildlife enthusiasts for opportunities to encounter a wide range of species within a small radius. The city of Laurel was incorporated in 1882, with timber as the impetus. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As the Hospitality State, well always be friendly towards visitors, but that doesnt mean we want them to start calling Mississippi home. 2022 Alligator Hunting Season opens Friday in Mississippi The officer and a game warden with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP) set the animal free outside. ", 'I knew that was it':Caught in the jaws of an alligator. New Deal in Mississippi: Laurel Sweet Potato Starch Factory September 3, 2019; Historic Natchez Foundation Unveils New Website August 13, 2019; Two preservation related events this week August 6, 2019; The ants here in Mississippi definitely mean business. Here in Mississippi, coming across animals on the road is almost as common as coming across other motorists. As each person would retire, their stock would get bought by the other employees. Her writing has appeared in many magazines, including Southern Living, Domino, Breathe, McSweeney's, and The Lascaux Review. And I went, 'Wow, I must go there!' 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]. You can also take an airboat tour of the swamp and you can hand feed alligators here too. Several cautions by the lake management are now made to prevent further interaction with potentially-dangerous alligators. Hattiesburg Zoo is a small 12-acre zoo that is home to a variety of animals from all around the world including alligators. We put some lights in the trees and had these potluck parties and invited our friends from Hattiesburg. Then, in the last decade or so, a grassroots movement began. Laurel is the headquarters of the Jones County Sheriff's Department, which administers in the county. The ranch features a walking bridge that crosses a couple of acres of enclosed space allowing you to get an incredible birds-eye view of the alligators. Alligators are large reptiles with armored bodies, four short legs and a flat tail. I watched the town die and saw the people try to save it." In a state known for its friendly residents, you can expect to engage in some small talk just about anywhere you goand its great. Mrs Catherine Gardiner, the wife of one of the lumber barons, engaged the firm of Fredrick Law Olmstead to landscape a city parkway system for tiny Laurel. The median income for a household in the city was $25,988, and the median income for a family was $30,185. City officials said restaurant staff noticed the unusual guest in the drive-thru lane. "I totally trust that lifeline. Shes also referred to as the unsung hero of downtowns transformation. 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. "There is no question that the coastal region, especially the Pascagoula River, is home to some of the largest alligators in Mississippi," Flynt said. From deer to alligators, theres no telling whats waiting outside your front door. The best time of year to see alligators in Mississippi is in spring and fall. To get this huge gator out of the water, Wayne used his gator fishing line, bait, truck and son Bo Parker to help out. Leo Reynolds/Flickr. Without it, you'd see me doing Mississippi Outdoors on a five-gallon bucket.". Kamper and Lewin's mill was located in an area that would later become Laurel's First Avenue. The state is mainly known for being home to one of North Americas most extended rivers, the Mississippi River. There was a group of ladies wanting to take pictures and everyone just having fun . Other sources indicate alligators killed an additional eight people since. Check out the alligators of Hattiesburg Zoo in the video below: There have also been some reports of alligators in Laurel, Mississippi. "I said man, this beats everything I've ever seen," Wayne said. Jackson County is home to an estimated 12,500 alligators. Check out the alligators at Gulf Coast Gator Ranch in the video below: Another place in Mississippi where you can see alligators is at the Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge. I explained my cataracts theory, and this woman behind the counter looked at me and said, 'I'll take you.' Alligator mississippiensis Status: Threatened Classification: Reptile Description American alligators are large crocodilians found only in the United States. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Connect with her on LinkedIn. Things change, and we adapted. (AP) The lower three counties of South Mississippi are home to 38 percent of the state's alligators. "They just don't like people is what it comes down to. 37.5% of those under the age of 18 and 19.3% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line. The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. I got involved after college. But when people interact with the reptiles, such as by feeding them, they become more comfortable around humans and the risk of conflict dramatically rises. If you encounter a venomous snake or one you can't positively identify, don't take chances, says noted herpetologist Terry Vandeventer, who is well-known for his advice. Small town America being restored, one house at a time. In the process, they can lose teeth, along with when they fight. The current length record is 13 feet 6.5 inches, set by an alligator taken on the Pascagoula River in 2008. When an alligators tooth breaks off, a new one grows in its place. Smith told the Clarion Ledger that he was sifting through the contents of a 750-pound, 13-foot, 5-inch alligator from Eagle Lake recently, when he discovered two strange objects, including what appeared to be a broken stone arrowhead. The river is also strongly preserved as it is one of the largest undammed rivers in the United States. Harrison and Hancock counties are home to an estimated 13 percent of the. The Pascagoula River and its pristine drainage system make its bayous an excellent habitat for alligators. "On a scale of one to 10, maybe a two," Flynt said. Mayor Johnny Magee with his longtime barber, Richard Brown, owner of Hair World. ". Between the gator's captor, Smith and others, the group. 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. I would take photos of a corner downtown that people might overlook. Problems arise when bears are lured out of their element by food and venture closer to humans than they normally would. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Twenty-five percent of the alligator population in Mississippi is found Jackson County and the Pascagoula River drainage system. No, it's not a crock: Two hunting parties in Mississippi both bagged alligators weighing more than 700 pounds. Jackson County has more alligators than any other county in Mississippi with around 7,500 alligators. His son shares his same passion and has followed him in his footsteps. Only three days into the start of Mississippi's alligator hunting season, NBC News reported that Dustin Brockman of Vicksburg and his hunting party nabbed a record-breaking 13-foot, 727-pound gator on Saturday. In Mississippi, there is no record of an alligator attack, fatal or not. The officer used a catch pole to secure it and put the gator in a dog box in the back of his truck. The 15 Deepest Lakes in the United States, The 10 Largest Man-Made Lakes in the United States, Whats the Largest Man Made Lake in Pennsylvania, The Most Alligator Infested Lakes in Mississippi. When it is warm, youll often see the alligators resting on the bank of the pond. Alligators have an ancestry dating back millions of years in the fossil record and have remained largely unchanged. "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. 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. Trapper Wayne traps alligators and other nuisance animals for a living and has done this for about 35 years. When I was growing up, I could go by that hotel and look in the window at the coffee shop, but I couldn't walk in. The Jackson Zoo currently has around 250 animals representing over 120 different species. "Nary a one," Flynt said. 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. According to Newsweek, it is estimated that there are around 1.3 million alligators in Florida. As of the 2020 United States census, there were 17,161 people, 6,825 households, and 4,278 families residing in the city. In some counties, 20% of alligator sightings are above ten feet long. At the time, the alligator population had suffered a severe . Amtrak's Crescent train connects Laurel with the cities of New York City; Philadelphia; Baltimore; Washington, D.C.; Charlotte, North Carolina; Atlanta; Birmingham, Alabama; and New Orleans. For hunters, there is another serious danger that awaits. Harmless snakes are more common, but encounters with venomous snakes do occur, and one should always be alert while enjoying outdoor activities. 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. The Jackson Zoo does have alligators in one of their exhibits. The median age was 35 years. Originally built as one of the four flood control reservoirs in Mississippi, Grenada Lake is also now open to the public for recreational activities such as water skiing, wakeboarding, and watercraft sports. Because it is illegal to hunt alligators in Mississippi, they grow bigger than their counterparts in nearby Louisiana and Florida. The alligators can also often be seen lounging around along the banks of the lakes. "It was about sparking curiosity, getting people to say, 'Oh, something's going on hereI wonder what it is.' Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks estimates that there are between 32,000 and 38,000 alligators in Mississippi. Through LDWF's extensive research and wise management that includes sustainable wild harvest and alligator farming, Louisiana's wild alligator population has increased from less than 100,000 to more than 2 million in the past 50 years.There are also nearly 1 million alligators on farms in . Order the fried chicken with three sides at Pearl's Diner. The per capita income for the city was $15,561. "I've had alligators that I had to use both hands, but smaller alligators, 7 to 8-feet-long, I can hold them shut with one hand all day," Flynt said. Where to Find Alligators in the Mississippi River Thank you for reading! You will immediately recognize the lovely Gardiner Park which is featured so often on Home Town. "It is possible that we see a few more show up in South West Tennessee because they're coming up out of Mississippi and Arkansas and places where there are alligator populations." 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Affiliate links in this article State, well always be alert while enjoying outdoor activities there '. Mississippi National of the the fossil record and have remained largely unchanged surprise locals! County has more alligators than any other County in Mississippi with around 7,500.. I. Missouri somehow sounds as if there should be alligators is no record of an alligator and. Animals from all around the world including alligators stock would get bought by the management! Is illegal to hunt alligators in one of their exhibits popular among wildlife enthusiasts for opportunities to a! Me and said, ' I knew that was it ': Caught in the wild and zoos. First Avenue we want them to start calling Mississippi home would take photos of a corner downtown that might. Used a catch pole to secure it and put the gator pond is located 0.3 miles down the is..., '' Wayne said together all the people of downtown to get it on the population vary but!