Endangered Species Escape Direct Harm from Hurricane Harvey
During and after the hurricane, we received many questions from people concerned about Harvey’s toll on endangered wildlife. We wanted to pass along some good news for a few species of concern that made it through. For more hurricane updates about recovery operations, check here. Three endangered species on the Texas Gulf Coast were in the right place at the right time to avoid the wrath of Hurricane Harvey.
Ocelots
A small cat found through much of South America, Central America and northward along the Gulf Coast of Mexico, the ocelot extends its range into the extreme tip of southern Texas. Simply, the harsh hurricane didn’t approach ocelot habitats.
Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtles
The Kemp’s ridley sea turtle lays its eggs on sandy shores at Padre Island and along other Texas barrier islands. But timing is everything. The turtles mate at sea in late winter and females heavy with eggs come ashore to excavate deep nests starting in April. Come August, the last of the females have finished nesting and moved back out to sea, and by September most of the nests have already hatched, and and eggs remaining are afforded the security of being embedded beneath the beach.
Whooping Cranes
Whooping cranes are currently far removed from the devastation of Hurricane Harvey. They are still in Canada at Wood Buffalo National Park, staging for their eventual trip south. Small flocks of three to 10 birds will start arriving at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge and adjacent habitats in mid-October. And by mid-December all of these elegant birds that made the trip will be on their wintering grounds. Aransas National Wildlife Refuge felt the full force of the hurricane and at present, refuge staff are assessing buildings and infrastructures. They will soon assess crane habitat and if necessary, measure changes in habitats and manage accordingly.
Other Impacts
We recognize the severe effects the hurricane has had on the people of south Texas. While there have also been impacts to the wildlife and their habitat, it is important to remember that these animals evolved over vast periods of time in the face of severe storms and some of the hurricane’s impacts may prove to be beneficial to wildlife and their habitat, similar to the way that habitats regenerate in areas that have burned in natural wild fires. As conditions improve and we are able to get out on the ground we will have a better idea of the storm’s overall effect on the wildlife of south Texas.
