Category Archives: Uncategorized

By Rick LoBello, Board Member Its been a while since I have seen one of the Curve-billed Thrashers living in my neighborhood, but the other day I am sure I heard one proclaim its presence with its loud whit-wheet whistle call.  If you pay attention to the birds near your home you probably have heardContinueContinue reading “Meet your neighbors: The Curve-billed Thrasher”

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?”

Giant daggers at Dagger Flat on March 27, 2023. by Rick LoBello, Board of Directors Chair Giant daggers at Big Bend National Park should reach their peak blooming period between now and Easter Sunday. Last year nearly 600,000 people visited Big Bend National Park and most missed seeing something truly spectacular, a forest of giantContinueContinue reading “Big Bend Blooms!”

Big Bend National Park, Dagger Flat. Giant daggers will peak in full bloom during the first week of April. This photo was taken on Monday, March 27, 2023. It’s FIESTA 2023 planning time! The Chihuahuan Desert Education Coalition (CDEC), in partnership with the El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens and the Tom Mays Unit ofContinueContinue reading “Save the date: 19th Annual Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta planned for September 23-24, 2023.”

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”

Mount Livermore (highest peak on the left) as seen from the front entrance to the Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute (CDRI) Nature Center. Mount Livermore is a summit in the Davis Mountains in Jeff Davis County, Texas. It reaches an elevation of 8,378 feet / 2,554 meters, and is the fourth highest and most isolated peakContinueContinue reading “Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center Presentation on Zoom planned for Wednesday, March 29, 6:30pm Mountain Time”