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| Desert Bighorn Sheep |
If there is one word that would describe Texas wild lands today, it would be exotic.
Texans has an affinity for exotic animals, especially deer and
antelope, that are not native to the state. From 1963 to 1994, the
exotic population in Texas grew from about 14,000 animals of 13 species
to more than 195,000 animals and 71 species.
The chart below lists six exotic animals now roaming free in the
state in such numbers that they must be considered permanent additions
to the mammal fauna according to The Mammals of Texas by
David J. Schmidly. According to the chart, Texas' record for preserving
exotic species seems to lean toward those least in need of help. None
of the species fall within the two categories most vulnerable to
extinction: (1) critically endangered and (2) endangered. Only one is
included within the third most concerned category: vulnerable.
Click chart below and expand to make readable.
Click chart below and expand to make readable.
There are cases where ranchers have benefited endangered animals from
elsewhere. The price, however, has been hunting, which the ranchers say
is necessary to pay for the upkeep of the rest of the animals. This has
been controversial.
Envisioned Wilderness
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| Addax Antelope |
This wilderness, envisioned as located in the Trans-Pecos region of West
Texas and a portion of New Mexico, would be populated with antelope and
other animals that can thrive in this hot and dry climate.
The satellite view Above shows the proposed wilderness area with orienting geographic features and cities. Prospective wildlife corridors are also indicated. The wilderness would be connected to other natural areas such as Mexico's Sierra Madre, the Canyonlands, High Plains, and the Edwards Plateau via these wildlife corridors.
The satellite view Above shows the proposed wilderness area with orienting geographic features and cities. Prospective wildlife corridors are also indicated. The wilderness would be connected to other natural areas such as Mexico's Sierra Madre, the Canyonlands, High Plains, and the Edwards Plateau via these wildlife corridors.
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| Mountain Nyala Antelope |
Animals proposed for inclusion in this wilderness are indicated in the chart below. Exotic species (not either native, previous occupants of area, or naturalized) are in italics and a darker gray background, with their endangered status indicated. All the exotic animals are in one of the four most endangered categories (CR, EN, VU & LR) or are extinct in the wild (EW) according to the IUCN.
Click chart below and expand to make readable.
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