In a yearly effort to remove a nonnative species of sheep from Big Bend National Park, a section of the park will be closed beginning October 3 to allow for aerial culling operations.
At issue is the need to remove Barbary sheep to protect Big Bend's native desert bighorn sheep.
For years the National Park Service staff has been working with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) on that effort. Beginning Friday, the Mesa de Anguila section of the park will be closed while TPWD staff, in coordination with the NPS, conducts aerial operations to remove aoudad.
Areas will be closed the evening before the survey and closure areas will reopen once the surveys are completed. Closure signs will be posted on trailheads and roads. The Rio Grande and Santa Elena Canyon Trail will remain open.
Additionally, the Deadhorse Mountains and surrounding areas, including Dagger Flat Road and Old Ore Road, will be temporarily closed October 4 – 5. Similar temporary closures will be in place the evening prior, so watch for posted closure signs for trailheads and roads. The Rio Grande and Boquillas Canyon trail will remain open.
Closures typically only last one full day per survey area, but closures may last longer due to weather or mechanical delays.
This effort is part of Big Bend’s long-term strategy to manage invasive species and protect native wildlife, as outlined in the Exotic Animal Management Plan and Environmental Assessment finalized in June 2018.
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