When it comes to floods like the Pearl River region’s Jackson, animals may not be the first thing that comes to mind as residents grapple with property loss and displacement.
However, wildlife and pets can also be affected. Here’s what to do to keep your pet safe and what to do, and what not to do, if you encounter displaced wildlife near your home.
Ricky Flint, Crocodile Program Coordinator at Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. “They make a living, they stay out of the high water, and once it recedes, they’re back in their home range.”
Seeing deer that have found higher ground or a raccoon on your porch is one thing. After all, they are fun to watch and animals that not everyone sees all the time. But what if the crocodile wandered in a place where it is not usually seen?
Flynt’s basic message is the same for crocodiles as it is for other wildlife.
Leave him alone, Flint said. “They just got displaced. And as the water levels change, they’re going to move on.”
Expect a low topPearl River flood forecasts are backing down, but officials warn that it’s not over yet
more:It’s never too late to prepare for floods. Here’s what to do.
If the alligator is in your yard, or closer to it, that’s another story.
“If it’s on your yard, on your yard, in your pool, or in your garage, call 1-800-BESMART and we’ll send someone to handle it,” Flint said. “Just get away from her.
“Watch her and see where she goes. Don’t try to deal with her. Don’t tease her or incite her.”
In short, keep your distance from people who have been trained to handle the situation.
Alligators are fairly common in Mississippi, particularly in Ross Barnett Reservoir and Pearl River, but snakes are more common. So, what’s the best course of action if one decides that your backyard is a good place to get out on the water?
What do you do about snakes
“The best thing to do is always ignore it,” said herpetologist Terry Vandeventer. “leave him alone.
“You can get rid of it with a hose. If that’s in your nature, you can put a trash can on top of it and sweep it up there with a broom.”
At this point, the lid can be placed on the enclosure and the snake can be moved.
If it’s a poisonous snake you have to kill it, right? Vandeventer disagrees. Flush it with water from a garden hose or let it go away on its own.
“Killing it is the wrong thing to do because over 70% of snakebites happen while someone is trying to kill a snake,” Vandeventer said.
Don’t expect to see snakes everywhere you look either.
“During the Easter Flood of 1979, news broke that snakes were going to be everywhere and in your house,” Vandeventer said. “It doesn’t. They tend to stay where they are. They’re in bushes and trees. They don’t get very far.”
Keep your pets safe in flood
Debra Boswell, communications coordinator for the Mississippi Animal Rescue Association, said the rule of thumb for pets is not to leave them behind.
“We definitely encourage people not to leave their pets,” Boswell said. “The problem is not being able to get back to them. We had to do two water rescue operations in 2020.”
Boswell said this problem can occur when a resident’s home is not at risk of flooding, but the area around it and access to it is blocked by water.
“If there’s water on your street and they put those barriers in, they won’t let you in again,” Boswell said. “Don’t leave them there. You don’t know when you’ll be back, and you can’t predict the weather.”
Boswell said he has a bag of supplies needed for your pet when evacuating, including food, water, his favorite toy, and medical records. Also, take a picture of your pet with your phone.
If there are no other options, Boswell said pets can be taken to Marl in Jackson, community animal rescue and adoption in Jackson or a vet for boarding. If granting boarding fees is an issue, Boswell said financial assistance is available through the Mississippi Board of Animal Health.
Once the flood subsides, pet owners may face another challenge; People entering and leaving their homes while they are being cleaned or repaired. For indoor pets, she recommends dedicating a room to keep the pet in while they work.
“You usually only work in one or two rooms at the same time,” Boswell said.
Boswell said dogs that have been fenced should be secured during the recovery process as well.
“Keep a lock on the gate,” said Boswell.
Contact Brian Broom at 601-961-7225 or bbroom@gannett.com.
