INSIDER
‘It was the most in the last few years’: Crews clear tens of thousands of fish on beach in Brazoria Co.
Read full article: ‘It was the most in the last few years’: Crews clear tens of thousands of fish on beach in Brazoria Co.Officials from the Brazoria County Parks spent the weekend cleaning tens of thousands of dead fish that washed ashore Quintana Beach County Park over the weekend.
PHOTO: Alligator gar caught in Corpus Christi area set to break records, Texas authorities say
Read full article: PHOTO: Alligator gar caught in Corpus Christi area set to break records, Texas authorities sayTexas Parks and Wildlife said Monday that a fisherman on Lake Corpus Christi caught an alligator gar tipping the scales at more than 200 pounds.
Skunk found with highly contagious, easily transmissible virus HPAI -- a first for a Texas mammal, TPWD says
Read full article: Skunk found with highly contagious, easily transmissible virus HPAI -- a first for a Texas mammal, TPWD saysTexas Parks and Wildlife Department officials said Tuesday that a highly contagious and easily transmissible virus called Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, or HPAI, had infected the first mammal in the state.
Stacking stones ‘not allowed’ in Texas: This is why rock cairns are prohibited at Lone Star State parks, authorities say
Read full article: Stacking stones ‘not allowed’ in Texas: This is why rock cairns are prohibited at Lone Star State parks, authorities sayYou’ve probably seen them at parks across Texas and the United States, and probably the world: rock cairns.
8-foot alligator blocks front doorstep of north Harris County home, Pct. 4 says
Read full article: 8-foot alligator blocks front doorstep of north Harris County home, Pct. 4 saysAn “unwanted guest” is blocking the front doorstep of a north Harris County home Monday afternoon, Harris County Pct. 4 said.
WILD CATCH: ‘Rare’ golden black drum reeled in along the Texas City Dike, fisherman says
Read full article: WILD CATCH: ‘Rare’ golden black drum reeled in along the Texas City Dike, fisherman saysJacob Saldana, who says he’s a member of the Reel Hustlers team of fishermen, told KPRC 2 he caught this massive golden black drum along the Texas City Dike on Monday.
Have what it takes to become a Texas state park police officer? What you need to know before you apply
Read full article: Have what it takes to become a Texas state park police officer? What you need to know before you applyApplications are opening soon for those interested in becoming a Texas State Park Police Officer with Texas Parks and Wildlife.
The wild reports from the latest Texas Game Warden Field Notes
Read full article: The wild reports from the latest Texas Game Warden Field NotesThe following notes were compiled from recent Texas Parks and Wildlife law enforcement reports and published in a release. Here are some of the wildest reports from the department’s latest edition of Game Warden Field Notes:
Free Fishing Day: Fish in any public body of water in Texas for free this Saturday
Read full article: Free Fishing Day: Fish in any public body of water in Texas for free this SaturdaySaturday, June 5 is Free Fishing Day in Texas. That means you can drop a line and fish in any public body of water for free. No fishing license is required.
The wild reports from the latest Texas Game Warden Field Notes
Read full article: The wild reports from the latest Texas Game Warden Field NotesThe following notes were compiled from recent Texas Parks and Wildlife law enforcement reports and published in a release. Here are some of the wildest reports from the department’s latest edition of Game Warden Field Notes:
‘See ya later, alligator!’: Gator found at Texas beach came all the way from Louisiana, officials say
Read full article: ‘See ya later, alligator!’: Gator found at Texas beach came all the way from Louisiana, officials sayPark rangers at Padre Island National Seashore were greeted to an unusual visitor on the beach.
Texas restocking thousands of catfish at 4 Houston-area neighborhood fishing lakes
Read full article: Texas restocking thousands of catfish at 4 Houston-area neighborhood fishing lakesThe Texas Parks and Wildlife are stocking thousands of catfish at 18 Neighborhood Fishin’ lakes, the department announced in a press release.
Hundreds of bats found dead under overpasses across Texas following winter storm
Read full article: Hundreds of bats found dead under overpasses across Texas following winter stormFollowing freezing temperatures experienced across Texas last week, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is receiving several reports of bat fatalities. Sharing an update on its Facebook page, the state agency warns Texans never to attempt to handle bats, dead or alive, as many colonies are being found frozen under overpasses throughout the state. According to the Houston Zoo’s bat specialist and naturalist Suzanne Jurek, Winter Storm Uri largely impacted bats as they had already used most of their fat reserves, leaving them vulnerable. Texas Parks and Wildlife is recording wildlife mortalities due to Winter Storm Uri. To help, the department says Texans can report their findings of dead bats to the iNaturalist project.
Houston Zoo releases 25 sea turtles back to the Gulf after Texas freeze
Read full article: Houston Zoo releases 25 sea turtles back to the Gulf after Texas freezeHOUSTON – 25 green sea turtles were given a second chance to live and released back to the Gulf thanks to animal care professionals from the Houston Zoo. Partnering with Texas A&M University-Galveston and Texas Parks and Wildlife, the zoo facilitated the rescue after last week’s winter storm, according to a news release. Last week, as Texas experienced unprecedented freezing conditions from Winter Storm Uri, 37 green sea turtles were rescued along the Texas coast. Working with our partners @AggiesByTheSea, the Houston Zoo's veterinary staff oversaw the care & treatment of these wild sea turtles. pic.twitter.com/DqoYsJwLcm — Houston Zoo (@houstonzoo) February 24, 2021Eleven of the turtles rescued continue to receive veterinary care from Houston Zoo and are not ready for release at this time, the news release said.
The wild reports from last month’s Texas Game Warden Field Notes
Read full article: The wild reports from last month’s Texas Game Warden Field NotesHere are some of the wildest reports from September 2020:Familiar FacesA Titus County game warden caught three men fishing on Lake Welsh without fishing licenses. The warden called for backup and a second Bexar County game warden came to assist in the search for the other trespasser. Axis DeniedAn Edwards County game warden and a Real County game warden had been investigating an individual for several weeks for hunting from a public roadway. Upon further investigation, the game wardens found both groups in possession of multiple game fish including bass and crappie. Shrimpin' Ain’t EasyA Calhoun County game warden was patrolling Matagorda Bay in the early morning hours when he saw numerous commercial shrimp boats traveling into the bay.
Man says he spotted venomous coral snake at Houston’s Memorial Park
Read full article: Man says he spotted venomous coral snake at Houston’s Memorial ParkHOUSTON – Watch your step the next time you’re at Memorial Park. Visitor Christian Seehausen is giving Houstonians the heads up about a rare venomous snake spotted near the trails. Seehausen shared a picture in a Reddit post, writing “this was just a foot or two off the trail, right next to a bench on the Inner Loop trail near the Nature Center.”Coral snake spotted at Memorial Park. “But still, be careful out there.”[RELATED: Venomous snakes in Texas you need to know about]According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, coral snakes are one of four kinds of venomous species in Texas and are shy and rarely seen. The snake can be identified by its small mouth and red, yellow, and black ordered stripesAccording to Texas Parks and Wildlife, coral snakes are usually not aggressive and though its bites are dangerous, they are rare.
Balmorhea State Park, Home of a Cherished West Texas Spring Pool, is Set to Grow Sevenfold in Size
Read full article: Balmorhea State Park, Home of a Cherished West Texas Spring Pool, is Set to Grow Sevenfold in SizeBalmorhea State Park, where a spring-fed swimming pool sparkles against a prickly desert backdrop, is set to expand to nearly seven times its current size. The popular West Texas park, where swimmers and scuba divers glide through clouds of fish, will add 643 acres to the existing 108 acres, Texas Parks and Wildlife officials announced this week. After leaving the pool, water from the springs empties into two man-made cienegas, or desert marshes, where visitors can observe wildlife. Balmorhea is such a unique park, said Stephanie Salinas-Garcia, a spokesperson for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Its a wonderful gateway into that West Texas landscape and shows the beauty of the area.
Notes from the Texas Game Wardens: A sack of undersized oysters, shark fin soup and drugs in a boat
Read full article: Notes from the Texas Game Wardens: A sack of undersized oysters, shark fin soup and drugs in a boatTwo Harris County game wardens were searching the web when they saw a restaurant advertising shark’s fin and shredded chicken soup on their menu. Shortly after, the second warden found another piece of shark’s fin wrapped in cellophane in a near-by freezer. The warden then picked up a menu off a nearby table and pointed to the soup section which listed sharks fin soup for sale. All sharks fin was seized, and charges are being filed with the Harris County District Attorney’s Office. When the warden asked if he had a fishing license, the man said he didn’t need one because he wasn’t fishing.
Photos: 47 fishing records broken in Texas in 2019
Read full article: Photos: 47 fishing records broken in Texas in 2019SAN ANTONIO – Dozens of Texans reeled in large hauls in 2019 — a year that Texas Parks and Wildlife called “great” for fishing. Fishermen and women broke 47 new state fishing records in Texas this year, according to TPWD. For individual lakes, rivers or bays, 434 waterbody records were broken. 200-plus-pound fish swim in Texas rivers, some over 50 years oldFishermen and women must measure and weigh their catch, take several photos and complete the application. “We are happy to recognize great catches even when they may not have set a new record.”Here’s a list of fishing records broken in 2019, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife.
Black bear sightings in Texas remain rare
Read full article: Black bear sightings in Texas remain rareHOUSTON – According to Texas Parks and Wildlife officials black bear sightings tend to increase in the fall as the animals prepare for hibernation. Still, state officials say confirmed sightings of black bears on public land remain rare. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife there have been 61 Black Bear sightings in 14 counties over the last two years. Evans said Black Bears may be making a come back in Texas. Evans said there have been no major issues with bears in Texas over the last five years.