This Hidden Sanctuary In Mississippi Is Home To One Of The Largest Flocks Of Sandhill Cranes In America

Wildlife in Mississippi runs the gamut from tiny insects to large mammals. The state’s menagerie of wildlife also includes an endangered species of crane which is so rare it can only be found in a secluded Mississippi sanctuary.

There's only one place in the world you can get a peek at the Mississippi sandhill crane, and it's the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge in Gautier.

At one time, Mississippi sandhill cranes could be found throughout Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana.

Today, however, only the refuge’s small, non-migratory population remains.

The species was all but wiped out due to urbanization, As cities got bigger, the cranes’ natural habitat, which is the wet pine savanna, got smaller.

In 1975, the Mississippi Sandhill Crane NWR was established in hopes of saving the dwindling population, which, at the time, had been reduced to just 35 birds!

Fun Fact: The Mississippi Sandhill Crane NWR is the first national wildlife refuge in the U.S. for which the Endangered Species Act was used as its establishing legislation.

Boasting 19,000 acres of wet pine savanna habitat, the refuge provides the perfect environment for the Mississippi sandhill crane to thrive – and it has! There are now more than 100 cranes at the refuge.

Even though great strides have been made, the Mississippi sandhill crane still carries the description of the "rarest bird in North America."

The possibility of sighting an elusive crane isn’t the only thing that makes a visit to the refuge unique, though.

The refuge itself is unique, as it protects the last remaining wet pine savanna in the U.S.

Undeniably beautiful, the savanna boasts a rich, colorful mix of rare orchids, carnivorous plants, and more.

For more info on the Mississippi Sandhill Crane NWR, visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website. And make sure to follow the Mississippi Sandhill Crane NWR on Facebook for updates on hours, events, and more.

So, did you know about this NWR in Mississippi? Ever been to the Mississippi Sandhill Crane NWR? Know of another place to admire wildlife in Mississippi? We want to hear from you!

This sanctuary isn’t the only hidden gem in Gautier. There are quite a few others, including a facility that offers some of the best outdoor adventures in Mississippi.