A San Marcos salamander, an endangered species, is measured for research at the National Fish Hatchery & Technology Center, in San Marcos, Texas. As rivers and lakes are being sucked dry across drought-stricken Texas, wildlife experts are considering a move to new waters to save some of the states endangered fish.
Associated Press
LUBBOCK, Texas — Eight animal and plant species found nowhere but Texas may need rescuing from the state’s largest springs if the blistering drought continues to diminish stream flows.
The state’s second worst drought has wildlife officials readying plans to evacuate some endangered fish, amphibians, invertebrates and a plant species from San Marcos Springs and Comal Springs in south central Texas.
San Marcos Springs has never gone dry but Comal Springs did in 1956, during the state’s worst drought.
Samples of the tiny creatures might have to be netted up and taken to a hatchery for preservation if water levels drop by more than another 50 percent, after similar reductions in recent months.
Only 9.6 inches of rain has fallen on average across Texas this year, slightly more than half the normal amount.
As rivers and lakes are being sucked dry across drought-stricken Texas, wildlife experts are considering a move to new waters to save some of the states endangered fish.
Associated Press
A Texas Blind Salamander, an endangered species, is seen at the National Fish Hatchery & Technology Center, in San Marcos, Texas. As rivers and lakes are being sucked dry across drought-stricken Texas, wildlife experts are considering a move to new waters to save some of the stateís endangered fish.
Associated Press
The cool, clear waters from Comal Springs flow, in New Braunfels, Texas. As rivers and lakes are being sucked dry across drought-stricken Texas, wildlife experts are considering a move to new waters to save some of the stateís endangered fish.
Associated Press