Author Archives: ChihuahuanDesertProtector

by Robert D. Vines PE, C.P.M. Note – Robert D. Vines is on the Board of Directors of the Chihuahuan Desert Education Coalition, one of the Zoo’s most important education partners. He says “If you are in a hurry, skip this first section and drop down to “El Paso Actions.” Climate Change Conundrum  – Part 1ContinueContinue reading “Climate Change – You can help”

The Montezuma Quail is one of over 100 species of birds in Texas threatened by climate change. We have Montezuma Quail at the El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens living at the Ranch House. By Rick LoBello, Board Member The world has never done anything like this.   Bill Gates, How to Avoid A Climate Disaster,ContinueContinue reading “How serious are we about climate change?”

Gambel’s Quail Lophortyx gambeliiStatus: Least ConcernSize: 8.5 inches in lengthHabitat: Southwest Deserts in the US and Mexico Commonly seen in the El Paso area this quail species shares it’s desert habitat with Scaled Quail (also called Cotton-top Quail or Blue Quail).  A good place to watch for them is at the bird blind on theContinueContinue reading “Chihuahuan Desert Wildlife: Gambel’s Quail”

Yucca (left) and Mesquite at the El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens. By Rick LoBello, Board Member The javelina also called collared peccary is one of the most interesting animals in Texas, the southwest and the US and Mexico.  Gould’s Turkey Many people call javelinas pigs, but they are actually not pigs although they areContinueContinue reading “Are javelinas having a baby boom in El Paso?”

The El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens has supported ocelot conservation programs at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge in South Texas. Did you know that most parks and protected natural areas are not able to adequately protect wildlife?  In many of these “islands” of habitat wildlife are trapped and cannot replenish themselves with others ofContinueContinue reading “What are wildlife corridors?”

Desert Blond Tarantula Aphonopelma chalcodes Status: CommonSize: Legs can span up to 6 inchesHabitat: Southwestern United States, especially Arizona, New Mexico, and Southern California Like most tarantulas this tarantula burrows in sandy soil. It emerges at sunset to hunt for prey including lizards, crickets, beetles, grasshoppers, cicadas and caterpillars.  Hair covers the body and the color varies fromContinueContinue reading “Chihuahuan Desert Wildlife: Desert Blond Tarantula”

This is a picture Santa Elena Canyon and the Rio Grande with the Santa Elena Canyon Protected Area, Chihuahua, Mexico on the left and Big Bend National Park in Texas on the right. By Rick LoBello, Board Member Background Big Bend National Park was first officially proposed on February 16, 1935 when Texas Senator MorrisContinueContinue reading “Can we realize Roosevelt’s dream for a transboundary conservation area by developing a plan for a sustainable future?”

Reticulated gecko By Rick LoBello, Board Member Every year I find one or more geckos under things in my yard or climbing on a wall.   For most of us in El Paso if we find a gecko we are more than likely seeing a Mediterranean gecko, an exotic species in the U.S. first reported inContinueContinue reading “Only in the Chihuahuan Desert: the reticulated gecko”

By Jacob Croft Western Screech Owl Megascops Kennicotti Status: Least Concerned Size: 7.5-9.8 inches Habitat: Woodlands The Western Screech Owl, looking much like the Eastern Screech Owl, is found in the western US and Mexico. They live here in El Paso, but are not commonly seen. Watch for them in the evenings or early mornings. They are nocturnalContinueContinue reading “Chihuahuan Desert Wildlife: Western Screech Owl”

Natural entrance to Carlsbad Caverns, home to a maternity colony of Mexican free-tailed bats. By Rick LoBello, Board Member Prior to moving to El Paso my friends used to call me Batman because of my job at Carlsbad Caverns National Park.   From 1992 to 2000 I lived in government housing a stone’s throw away fromContinueContinue reading “Free tailing it up to Carlsbad”