HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 10470 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 20-10470
August 25, 2020
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
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VL
* rrn SUBJECT: WILDLIFE IN PARKS, SPECIFICALLY EGRETS AND NUTRIA
The purpose of this Informal Report is to provide general information regarding the awareness
and management of wildlife in parks throughout Fort Worth, specifically egrets and nutria.
The City of Fort Worth currently has 291 parks, equating to 12,337 acres. It is the goal of the Park
& Recreation Department to provide both active areas such as sports fields and open play areas
as well as passive areas that are undeveloped and maintained in their natural state. The balance
between active and passive settings generally depends on the park size and land characteristics.
On a regular basis, park staff receives requests to remove various wildlife from parks, ranging
from wild hogs to raccoons to bees to coyotes. The general practice is to allow the wildlife to
remain. However, if necessary, the park department works closely with licensed and authorized
wildlife professionals who assist in capturing and relocating the wildlife.
Egrets
This year, egrets are nesting in the Candleridge Park neighborhood, primarily at residences on
Fuller Circle and Johnstone Lane. In previous years they have nested in the Overton and
Sylvania park neighborhoods. Egrets are migratory nongame birds that are protected under the
Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. Enforcement of this international treaty is under the jurisdiction
of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service which the Code Compliance Department works with closely.
Additionally, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, Chapter 64, contains the primary state statutes
that provide protection for nongame birds in Texas. Per both mandates, persons cannot kill,
harass, move or disturb the birds during nesting season.
Code continues to work with the affected neighborhood in picking up and caring for any sick and
injured egrets that are called into them plus removing any dead birds. Code and Park staffs
continue to monitor the situation and provide information to the residents.
Nutria
Nutria are currently at Krauss Baker Park, 3517 Park Lake Drive. This is not a "regular" wildlife
problem but rather a pest issue since nutria are an exotic invasive species. The approximate size
of the herd is 40. As of August 20, 2020, 34 nutria were captured and euthanized. This effort will
continue until the population is reasonably reduced.
For questions or additional information, please contact Richard Zavala, Director, Park &
Recreation Department, at 817.392.5704.
David Cooke
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS