The innocent victims of the flood

This Mississippi flooding is quickly getting depressing to me. Not only has it taken human lives and homes further up north, the toll it's taking on the wild animals that had no idea this was coming (or did they?) saddens me.

Examples

On River Road Jefferson Parish wildlife authorities shot a 10 foot alligator FIVE TIMES IN THE HEAD because it was "lurking closely" by The Rivershack in a canal near the bar. I have emailed the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries on this one. Check out the big, fat "wildlife enforcement officer" with the gun. He's disgusting.

A group of deer are shown swimming thru the flooded spillway 4 miles south of Morganza and appear to be totally wigged out once they reach dry land.

ANOTHER gator shot

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Robert Barham says "This is a critical time for the black bears. They're coming out of their dens with cubs. You can't send a tsunami into the Atchafalaya Basin and expect those cubs to survive."

"This hasn't happened in almost 40 years. These bears don't know where to go."

So at least some of the bears, as well as other wildlife like deer, snakes and even alligators, are likely to encroach on populated areas.

"Many will go into thickets and wooded lots outside the basin until the water recedes; nature is an adaptable system," Barham said. "But if a bear gets confused and winds up on the 50-yardline of the (University of Louisiana at Lafayette) stadium, we're going to get him."

Barham said his agents will trap and relocate any bears that encroach on heavily populated areas.

"We're going to do our best to save these bears," he said. "We'll come get the bear and relocated it to a safe place."

He said some relocations would likely take place in the Tensas refuge.

Attention Jefferson Parish Wildlife "officials":
Barham emphasized that no wildlife other than snakes or wild hogs can be shot by Louisiana residents during the flood event.

In Audubon Park, a Bird Island has mysteriously been abandoned by birds. One commentor suggests that the birds somehow intuitively knew what was happening with the river. Time will tell.