 McIlhenny established the refuge around 1895 on his own personal tract of the island, an approximately estate known eventually as Jungle Gardens because of its lush tropical flora.By the late 19th century, plume hunters had nearly wiped out the snowy egret population of the United States in pursuit of the bird's delicate feathers, which were commonly used by milliners for the adornment of ladies' hats.Alarmed by this trend, McIlhenny searched the Gulf Coast and located several surviving egrets, which he took back to his estate on Avery Island.