Mississippi wildlife displaced in flood - MSNewsNow.com - Jackson, MS

Mississippi wildlife displaced in flood

Wildlife by the thousands have been displaced by floodwaters off the Mississippi river and it's tributaries.  Wildlife experts say many will end up in more populated areas, causing possible problems for residents.

Colonel Steven Adcock with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks says, "You're going to see more of them they don't have as many places to go we recommend everyone stay away from them, leave them alone, don't create any more stress on them that they already have."

These stressed out animals may not respond well with human contact, and could be found in or near homes as flood victims return.

Officials say you should always keep your distance from snakes. They often strike when they feel threatened or cornered, and should not be handled.

Alligators normally avoid contact with humans, but are often unpredictable.

Colonel Adcock says, "In most cases they're a lot smarter than we are, they moved out weeks ago there will be a few of them we have to rescue because they had sense enough to get out of these areas and as soon as the water goes down they'll go back in."

Finding indigenous reptiles inside flooded homes will be commonplace over the next few weeks, as everyone is anxious to get back home after the historic flood.

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