News

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

AUSTIN TEXAS

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department advises folks to leave that wild animal alone if it has been stranded by high water.  It’s not uncommon during the summer months to see what appears to be abandoned fawn deer or fledgling birds in need; that’s when humans need to resist the urge to help, wildlife experts say.

Some species, including birds, deer and snakes, are normally very active this time of year and are typically seen more frequently. With the abundance of recent rainfall, increased sightings of displaced wildlife in flooded areas can also be expected, but if left alone these critters will return to their natural environment once water levels subside.

This is the time of year that young birds are out of their nests but cannot fly. If the bird’s eyes are open, it has a coat of feathers and is hopping around, it is probably fine, according to staff at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s wildlife information center. Grounded fledglings will usually be up and flying within a few days.

The fawning season is well underway, although the newborns may not be visible to the casual observer for several weeks because of excellent camouflage of their mottled coats and their mother’s care in hiding them from predators.

Deer will typically leave their fawns for hours at a time, returning only to nurse them. Fawns are often discovered lying quietly in tall grass or brushy areas. Well-meaning people sometimes pick up these fawns, thinking that they have been abandoned by their mothers and need help. This is rarely the case.

A fawn should only be picked up if it is covered in fire ants or is otherwise seriously injured. These fawns need assistance and should be taken to a wildlife rehabilitator immediately. These fawns need assistance and should be taken to a wildlife rehabilitator immediately.

If it is determined that a wild animal is sick or injured call the TPWD wildlife information line, (512) 389-4505, during business hours for a referral to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

After-hours callers can get the names of rehabilitators from TPWD’s dispatch line at (512) 389-4848 or by accessing the department’s website.

T.REX “IVAN” Comes To The Sherman Museum DINO DAYS 2016

The Sherman Museum DINO DAYS 2016 summer dinosaur exhibit will feature a T.rex named “Ivan” as the star attraction. DINO DAYS will run from June 6 through August 13, with June 6 servingas a preview day for museum members. Admission for this special exhibition will be $5for everyone age 5 and up; children ages 4 and under, and museum members are free. Group rates are available, call the museum for details.

DINO DAYS 2016 at The Sherman Museum is Texoma’s only large scale dinosaur exhibit. Now in its fifth year, museum Director Dan Steelman noted that DINO DAYS has become a regional favorite. “It is amazing to think that this is our fifth anniversary. I still remember how crazy the idea seemed a few years ago, but it has struck a chord with the public. They love it. We wanted to do something special to celebrate our fifth anniversary, so we got the biggest and most spectacular dino we could bring in – ‘Ivan’ the Tyrannosaurus rex. At 40-feet, ‘Ivan’ will be the largest dino we have everexhibited.”

Joining “Ivan” will be at least five other complete skeletons. Visitors will come face to face with Dromaeosaurus, a “raptor” dinosaur, Archaeopteryx (in situ), pterosaurs Nyctosaurus, Jeholopterus, and Pterodactylus (in situ), and Dimetrodon. Also on display will be a complete skeleton of Clidastes, a small Mosasaur from the Western Interior Seaway, and the 3-foot-long skull of Acrocanthosaurus, an apex predator that roamed Texoma during the Early Cretaceous period.

Other returning popular DINO DAYS attractions are the DINO DIG and the 3-D Dino Theater. The dig allows children to search for fossils using paleontological techniques. The theater displays dinosaur documentaries and feature-length movies like Jurassic Park 3-D and Walking with Dinosaurs in 3-D. Children will again have opportunities to create dinosaur arts and crafts. DINO DAYS lecture series will engage visitors with discussions of science and natural history topics. DINO ACADEMY will return again this year offering children ages 6-12 a hands-on dino experience.

The Sherman Museum is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm on Thursdays.