TPWD News Releases

Dove Mortality Occurring Across Texas due to Trichomoniasis

AUSTIN –The National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) has confirmed several doves collected across Texas, including the Trans Pecos and Rolling Plains, tested positive for Trichomoniasis.

USFWS, East Foundation Sign Safe Harbor Agreement to Aid Ocelot Recovery in Texas

AUSTIN – During an event on March 19, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and East Foundation officially approved a Programmatic Safe Harbor Agreement to aid in the recovery and reintroduction of the secretive ocelot to south Texas.

Leaving Wildlife Alone is Best Practice

AUSTIN — It is the time of year when people are outdoors enjoying warmer weather, beautiful flowers and emerging wildlife. As you spend time outdoors, you may start to notice more wildlife in your backyard, neighborhood or surrounding areas. Species including birds, deer and snakes are active this time of year and their young can be mistaken as abandoned.

TPWD Urges Caution Around Rookery Islands to Protect Waterbird Nesting Grounds

AUSTIN — As spring weather transitions to summer and outdoor enthusiasts begin to flock to the coast, boaters will begin to see islands covered with large congregations of nesting birds. These islands, known as rookery islands, provide breeding homes (and nurseries) for thousands of iconic coastal birds such as brown pelicans, roseate spoonbills, black skimmers, reddish egrets and other species in Texas bays.

Official Media Statement: Gene Howe Wildlife Management Area

National Invasive Species Awareness Week Feb. 26 – March 3 Promotes Initiatives to Prevent Harmful, Non-Native Plants and Wildlife

AUSTIN – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) encourages Texans to take action against invasive species that negatively impact the state’s natural resources and economy. National Invasive Species Awareness Week (NISAW), scheduled for Feb. 26 – March 3, is an initiative to raise awareness of the threats and provide solutions on how to prevent the spread of invasive species.

Official Media Advisory: Panhandle Wildlife Conference Rescheduled in Lubbock Feb. 1,2

Chronic Wasting Disease Detected at Kerr Wildlife Management Area Captive Deer Research Facility

AUSTIN — Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) biologists have reported a suspect-positive case of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in a 14-month-old captive male white-tailed deer at the Kerr Wildlife Management Area (WMA) research facility.  The detection resulted from ante-mortem testing conducted on all captive white-tailed deer as part of ongoing research. Samples from the buck were sent to the National Veterinary Service Laboratory in Iowa for confirmation.

Texans Encouraged to Practice Bear Safety

AUSTIN — With winter quickly approaching, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) encourages residents in the western, southwestern and northeastern portions of Texas to practice appropriate bear safety measures and report sightings.

Quail Populations Recovering, Strongest in Years

AUSTIN —Texas quail hunting season opens Oct. 28, and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) surveys indicate an increased number of bobwhite and scaled quail in the field thanks to a combination of cooler temperatures and spring rainfall during the start of nesting season.