Latest news with #FortWorthNatureCenter
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
10-foot alligator removed from North Texas lake
The Brief A 10-foot, 291-pound alligator was safely removed from Eagle Mountain Lake. The alligator was relocated as part of an ongoing research effort by Texas Parks and Wildlife. The reptile was measured and tagged before being moved to a more remote location. FORT WORTH, Texas - A 10-foot alligator has been safely relocated after being removed from Eagle Mountain Lake Thursday. Eagle Mountain Lake alligator The Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge's Natural Resources Team worked with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to catch the alligator as part of ongoing research, TPWD said in a press release on Thursday. The male alligator weighed in at 291.8 pounds, and was 10 feet 7 inches in length. The teams safely measured, tagged and relocated the reptile to a protected, more remote location. What you can do For more information about alligator sightings in Fort Worth, including safety tips and how to report a sighting, visit the City of Fort Worth's official alligator awareness page. The Source Information in this story came from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Solve the daily Crossword
CBS News
02-08-2025
- Science
- CBS News
Alligators are nesting in Fort Worth — and researchers are racing to track them
Spotting an alligator in North Texas once felt like a myth. Now, researchers say they're not only here — they're thriving. The Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge is leading a growing effort to track, tag, and study local alligators, including nests and newly hatched babies. Staff say this is their busiest week of the year: alligator nesting season. Crews comb through more than 1,000 acres of wetlands by boat, ATV, foot, and drone, searching for new nests and the fiercely protective mothers guarding them. "These nests can have dozens of eggs inside," said Jared Wood, manager at the Nature Center. "We may not always get close enough to collect data, but we'll mark it with GPS and monitor with game cameras." Just three years ago, public awareness about local gators was nearly nonexistent — until a viral photo of a 10-foot alligator sunbathing at the refuge raised eyebrows. Many thought it was fake. Wood began volunteer research in 2021 and launched a full study by 2023. This sometimes includes capturing and releasing gators to track health, growth, and movement. "We'll measure them, check body girth, tail girth, and implant a chip," said David Reasoner, a natural resource technician. "If it's a recapture, we compare data to see how far they've moved." Genetic testing also helps identify population shifts and potential migration patterns. So far, researchers have identified eight active nests and estimate about 70 to 100 alligators live at the refuge. While most hatchlings don't survive due to predators like raccoons, researchers believe the population remains steady — not increasing. "Alligators are part of wetland ecosystems," Wood said. "If you have alligators, you have healthy wetlands, and that benefits everyone." The study is ongoing, and researchers hope to have enough data by 2027 to release findings to the public. In the meantime, the Nature Center encourages visitors to enjoy the trails and wildlife, but stay clear of gators and nests, and report any sightings to staff.
