Latest news with #KDWP
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Rare bird spotted at Kansas state park results in partial beach shutdown
ROOKS COUNTY (KSNT) – Wildlife officials are giving a rare bird space after it decided to make a nest at a Kansas state park. The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) has closed part of the swimming beach area at Webster State Park this week in Rooks County after spotting a nesting piping plover. Wildlife officials have closed off part of the beach with yellow tape to give the bird space to rear its young. Piping plover birds are protected under the federal Endangered Species Act and the Kansas Nongame and Endangered Species Conservation Act, according to the KDWP. The migratory birds are recognized as rare visitors to Kansas that are found nesting on beaches and sandbars. Exotic pet fish are turning up in Kansas lakes, where do they come from? Ten counties are listed as containing critical habitat for piping plover in Kansas but they may generally be spotted anywhere where suitable conditions exist. You can spot a piping plover by some of its more noticeable features, such as yellow legs, a narrow black band above the forehead from eye to eye and a dark ring around the neck. People visiting Webster State Park are asked to give the bird space and watch it from outside the areas marked with yellow tape. You can learn more about Kansas' state parks by heading to the KDWP's website. Check camping options on USACE lands with this new website For more Kansas Outdoors, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Exotic pet fish are turning up in Kansas lakes, where do they come from?
TOPEKA (KSNT) – Anglers are hooking some strange fish in Kansas that look like they belong in a personal aquarium rather than the local lake. 27 News got in touch with experts at the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) this week to find out how often its fisheries staff are finding exotic fish swimming in the state's lakes and waterways. Whether they came from somebody's fish tank or were being used as bait, odd specimens are finding their way into the state's waters, causing problems for wildlife staff and the natural ecosystem. 'It's hard to quantify, but staff come across these species several times a year,' said Jeff Koch, assistant director of Fisheries Research with the KDWP. 'Koi, goldfish, and other species that might have originated from an aquarium release are observed by biologists and anglers quite often.' What are the rarest fish you can catch in Kansas and where can you find them? Koch said the KDWP has received confirmed reports of armored catfish, a South American fish, appearing in Kansas that are popular in the aquarium trade. Oscar fish have also been found and collected from the state's waters. But the list of exotic fish doesn't stop there. KDWP Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator Chris Steffen said the agency has also found arawana, pacu, plecostomus, ornate bichir and other fish that don't belong in Kansas. Restricted camping, recreation options take effect across Kansas The fish can come from a variety of sources such as being released intentionally by their owners after becoming too difficult to maintain. Some, such as goldfish, are sold in Kansas as bait fish and may escape into the water. Michael Parr, a KDWP aquatic invasive species biologist, said goldfish are sold in Kansas regularly. Goldfish are checked for viruses and diseases before they are cleared for use in the state's waters. 'When anglers purchase goldfish from a certified bait dealer, the goldfish have most likely been tested and are certified disease-free,' Parr said. 'The majority of live bait sold commercially sold Kansas is purchased and imported from an out-of-state source to be resold in the state.' KHP trooper warns of 'tire gator' danger on Kansas highways Koch said KDWP fisheries staff remove any exotic fish they find that pose a threat to the environment and other native wildlife. Some, like koi fish, pose a larger challenge for biologists to tackle. 'The largest koi or goldfish in our database is approximately 26 inches long,' Koch said. 'It is important to note that Koi are domesticated common carp, selectively bred for their coloration. As such, koi likely have the potential to get as large as common carp, which are generally regarded as a fisheries management challenge. They can reproduce prolifically and have negative impacts on native species and water quality.' Several varieties of carp are considered especially invasive and a pose a big threat to the state's native fish due to their ability to grow fast and reproduce in great numbers. Koch said the KDWP works with store and pet owners by sharing resources online to educate them about the potential harm that comes with releasing exotic fish into Kansas' waters. Rattlesnakes slither out as temperatures warm in Kansas 'Releasing an aquatic pet is not kind to the pet,' Koch said. 'These fish are not adapted to our climate or aquatic systems and will generally not fare well. However, in the event that they do survive, their impacts on native species can be very negative.' Fish that do survive and reproduce in Kansas may be designated as an invasive species. The KDWP reports these species can hurt the natural environment by: Diminishing food supplies and degrading habitat for native species. Reducing numbers and variety of desirable fish. Reducing fishing and other recreational opportunities. Lowering property values and decreasing quality of municipal water sources. Fouling water lines, clogging intakes, burning out pumps and causing other forms of damage. Increasing the risk of flooding due to overcrowding and clogging of lake outlets. You can learn more about invasive species and how they're damaging the natural environment of Kansas by heading to the KDWP's website. Koch also recommends checking out the Don't Let It Loose website to learn more about responsible pet ownership, rehoming and pet regulations by state. Kansas Forest Service at risk of 80% funding loss, layoffs with proposed federal cuts For more Kansas Outdoors, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
New Kansas state parks director selected
TOPEKA (KSNT) – The new leader for Kansas' state parks is settling into his role this week. The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) announced on Tuesday, May 7 in a press release that Conner O'Flannagan will serve as the new state parks director. He joined the KDWP in 2019 and has spent time in numerous leadership roles. Laura Clawson with the KDWP said O'Flannagan will oversee operations taking place at Kansas' 29 state parks which bring in more than seven million visitors per year. He is taking over for Linda Lanterman who served as the state parks director for more than 30 years. 'I am eager to guide Kansas State Parks toward a future defined by sustainability, operational excellence, and enhanced public engagement,' O'Flannagan said. 'Our parks are treasured spaces, providing outdoor recreation and natural beauty for Kansans and visitors alike. I look forward to working with our talented team and stakeholders to ensure these spaces thrive for generations to come.' A photo of Conner O'Flannagan. He will be the new director of Kansas' 29 state parks. (Photo Courtesy/KDWP) Kansas parks shut down amid federal staffing shortage O'Flannagan holds a master's degree in park, recreation and tourism management from Clemson University. He also has experience with managing park operations, developing staff and securing grant funds to improve parks and outdoor spaces. 'Conner's deep understanding of park management, his ability to bring people together, and his dedication to sustainability and accessibility make him the right person to lead Kansas State Parks into the next chapter,' said KDWP Secretary Christopher Kennedy. 'His vision aligns with our commitment to preserving natural resources while enhancing outdoor experiences for the people of Kansas.' For more Kansas Outdoors, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Yahoo
Newly improved section of Flint Hills Trail to open in May
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) announced Friday the completion and opening of a newly improved section of the Flint Hills Trail State Park in Franklin County. The 2.3-mile segment, located west of Ottawa between Louisiana Terrace and Iowa Road, will officially open to the public on Saturday, May 17. Construction set to begin on first Buc-ee's store in Kansas Once it opens, visitors can take advantage of 93 miles of continuous trail from Osawatomie to Council Grove. Construction included a 10-foot-wide multi-use trail surface, a pedestrian bridge over the BNSF Railway and improvements to three existing bridges. Thanks to these enhancements, visitors no longer have to take a 3.4-mile detour on county roads to cross the railroad tracks safely. 'With every completed section, we're not just building trail—we're connecting communities, expanding recreation access, and helping more Kansans experience the natural beauty of our state,' KDWP Secretary Christopher Kennedy said. The department said the project was made possible through a Transportation Alternatives Program grant from the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). A ribbon-cutting celebration for the improved section will be planned at a later date, the KDWP said. See the latest headlines in Kansas City and across Kansas, Missouri The department also said it has long-range plans to develop the trail along its full length as funding becomes available. To learn more about Flint Hills Trail State Park, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Snakes on the plains: Watch out for these venomous vipers in Kansas
The pain was excruciating when a venomous snake bit Grady Kornelson in 2018 in south-central Kansas. 'On a scale of one to 10, it was a nine,' he told the Hutchinson News. Kornelson received five doses of antivenom and spent a weekend in a hospital after being bitten on a forearm as he was getting out of the water just after dark on a Friday in a cove at Cheney Reservoir. Hospital staff told Kornelson he'd been bitten by a copperhead, though a Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks official suggested it may have instead been a massasauga rattlesnake. The copperhead and massasauga rattler are among four native venomous snakes present in Kansas, with the others being the prairie rattlesnake and timber rattlesnake, said the website of the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. "Western diamond-backed rattlesnakes were introduced, but are not widespread and have been recorded in only a few central-Kansas locations," that site said. It said another type of venomous viper, the northern cottonmouth, is "rare" in the Sunflower State, as only two specimens having been recorded — both in the Spring River drainage area in the state's southeast corner. The KDWP website said all venomous snakes found in Kansas are pit vipers, meaning they have heat-sensitive pits in front of each eye to help locate prey. "Venomous snakes are generally shy and aren't looking for a fight, but they will bite in self-defense if you step too close, step on or provoke them," the KDWP website said. It said venomous snakes tend to be well-camouflaged, "So watch where you walk, and don't go barefoot or wear flip-flops or sandals, even on established trails or around campgrounds." Many people each year are bitten by harmless snakes "and experience nothing but small scratches that readily heal," said "A Pocket Guide to Kansas Snakes." The guide — written by Joseph T. Collins, Suzanne L. Collins and Travis W. Taggart — is on its sixth edition after initially being published in 2011. Deaths from snake bites in the Sunflower State are rare, the pocket guide said. "There is only one documented fatality in Kansas since 1950," it said. The KDWP website encourages anyone who thinks he or she has been bitten by a venomous snake to "keep the site of the bite quiet and below the level of your heart." The pocket guide encourages those in that situation to stay calm., treat for shock and go by vehicle to the nearest hospital or other medical facility. It said such victims must NOT do the following things: Use a tourniquet. If the tourniquet is tied too tight, that may cause the loss of a limb. Make cuts through or near the site of the bite. Try to suck venom from the site of the bite, as "You might have a tooth cavity or gum sore and this would place venom into that wound." Allow antivenom to be administered to them unless they first get tested to determine if they're allergic to it. Try to kill or capture the snake, as that would only give it another chance to bite. Killing or capturing the snake is also unnecessary, the KDWP site said, "because a single type of antivenom is used to treat all pit viper bites in the U.S." Kansas is home to 42 different native species of snakes, which are active during the warmer months between late March and November — the same time period when people are most active outdoors, the KDWP website said. "Most snakes are found in rural or semi-rural areas where there is suitable habitat and prey," it said. "They may be found in woodlands and shrubby areas; brush, log or rock piles; around water; in tall grass; around rocky outcrops or ledges; or even under ornamental shrubbery and gardens." Snakes are a vital part of the food chain, the pocket guide said. "They are small, shy animals that are frightened by people," it said. "Understanding their role in nature and their unassuming presence are vital to dispel the myths and fears people have of snakes." Snakes can't regulate their body temperature internally, so they'll be more active at night during times of hot weather, retreating to shady areas or under rocks and logs during the day, the KDWP website said. "When it's cooler, they tend to be more active during the day," it said. The venomous timber rattlesnake is found in the eastern fourth of the state, the KDWP website said. The timber rattler is the largest rattlesnake in Kansas, capable of growing up to 5 feet, 3 inches in length, the pocket guide said. That species feeds on small mammals and smaller snakes, it said. The prairie rattlesnake is found in the western half of the state, the KDWP website said. It is capable of growing up to 4 feet, 9 and a half inches long, the pocket guide said. It said the prairie rattler feeds on lizards, mice, rats and pocket gophers. The massasauga rattlesnake is found in the eastern two-thirds of the state, the KDWP website said. It is capable of growing up to 2 feet, 9 and a half inches long, the pocket guide said. It said the massasauga rattler feeds on frogs, lizards, rodents and other snakes. The copperhead is found in the eastern third of Kansas, the KDWP website said. It is capable of growing up to 3 feet, 4 inches long, the pocket guide said. It said copperheads are particularly fond of rodents but also feed on insects, frogs, toads, lizards, small birds and other snakes. Contact Tim Hrenchir at threnchir@ or 785-213-5934. This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: These 4 types of native venomous snakes can be found in Kansas
