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The floodwaters are finally starting to recede, but they may have a lasting impact on the state's wildlife.

Game and fish officers in flooded areas have been seeing animals pushed out of their normal habitats, in search of higher ground.

Just like many other areas of the state, the delta rivers nature center in Pine Bluff has seen flooding in the last couple of weeks. Some areas of the walking trail are still under water and the fish are swimming on what's normally dry land.

Though the water is going down, there will be a lasting effect on the area's wildlife.

(Eric Maynard, Arkansas Game and Fish) "I mean, it affects everything - ants, insects, the birds."

Water has in many places forced even the turkeys to search for high ground and in some cases, close to roadways.

(Maynard) "Deer are the same way. They get pushed up into ares. Some places they have to swim to get to higher ground."

And when they search for food, that is a problem for the animals as well. The flooding killed all the plants remaining underneath the water surrounding the trees, plants many of the animals depended on.

(Maynard) "The grasses and clover are going to provide food and cover to the deer and other wildlife in the area. Now, we're going to be without that for some time."

Snakes have also been pushed out of their normal hiding places. As flood victims brave the high waters to begin clean-up, they may cross paths with a few snakes.

(Maynard) "You've got a lot of people out in water in the flooded areas not normally out there. You have more of a chance of contact with snakes."

Maynard says even though we're more likely to see them now, its best for everyone to leave the snakes and other wild animals alone.

(Maynard) "We kind of have to get along a few days until everything gets back to normal and you can go back to your home and hopefully, they'll go back to theirs too."

Although the flooding is good for some wildlife, the standing water is expected to make mosquitoes worse than ever this year.

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