Endangered chickens to be set free through Caldwell Zoo’s conservation efforts

TYLER, Texas ( KETK ) – In efforts to save the endangered Attwater’s prairie chicken, 20 Caldwell Zoo raised chickens will be released to the wild.

According to the zoo, over the past four months their bird team raised several chickens to support the populations recovery.

“This program is essential, as habitat loss and hunting have driven this once-abundant species to endangerment,” Caldwell Zoo officials said. “Once numbering over a million across coastal Texas and Louisiana, today, only a small population survives in Texas.”

The zoo said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service visited in early September to collect the chickens that would be released at a protected Texas wildlife refuge.

“In collaboration with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife team, each bird was carefully tagged, dewormed and provided with any necessary medications before the big release,” zoo officials said.

The Caldwell Zoo said the mission of their breeding and conservation program is to support the recovery of endangered species until the species reaches a stable population that can sustain itself.

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