Friday, June 02, 2023
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Endangered species hatches at GPZ

20220817 VIPER BB2A9793Staff at the Gladys Porter Zoo are extremely proud to announce the historic hatching of six endangered Mangshan pit vipers. The Gladys Porter Zoo is now one of only three institutions in the United States to have successfully bred this rare species. There are only about 500 left in the wild which makes this hatching such a momentous event.

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New Children’s Book features Gladys Porter Zoo Giraffe

20210803 GPZ Rocket 9430 crop2Rocket, a beloved giraffe at the Gladys Porter Zoo, is now the main character of her own children’s book, Rocket the Space Giraffe. The book was written by Suzanne Shepard, Board President of the Valley Zoological Society, and illustrated by Tilia Rand-Bell, an award-winning illustrator. Since the Zoo’s public unveiling of the book on July 21st, Rocket the Space Giraffe has skyrocketed to the #1 spot in New Releases of Children’s Zoo Books on Amazon.

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Join Texas Parks & Wildlife Magazine’s Great Outdoor Scavenger Hunt for Fun Summer Adventure

20220719 TexasParks Scavenger#GOSH2022: Explore new Texas destinations and share selfies along the way

AUSTIN – Summer’s going by fast but there’s still time to jump in the car for an unforgettable road trip, near home or across the state.

The Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine’s Great Outdoor Scavenger Hunt (GOSH) returns for a third year of carefree fun across Texas. Travel to various locations on the magazine’s list, take a selfie and post it with the hashtag #GOSH2022. Discover history, wildlife, parks, waterways and quirky attractions — plus some classic eateries to visit and an iconic Texas soundtrack on Spotify and Apple Music as a “bonus” to enjoy along the way.

Read more: Join Texas Parks & Wildlife Magazine’s Great Outdoor Scavenger Hunt for Fun Summer Adventure

Mothing by Moonlight at Quinta Mazatlan

20220719 Quinta Moth Salt Marsh Moth John BrushWhen the sun goes down, the moths come out at Quinta Mazatlan! Join us for this very special glimpse into the world of nocturnal insects on Saturday night, July 23rd, open from 9 pm to midnight.

A dimly lit trail will guide the guests through the Thorn Forest trails at Quinta Mazatlan to special Mothing Stations with knowledgeable naturalists. Guests should expect to see spiders, scorpions, frogs, toads, beetles and more.

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Texas State Parks share six tips for staying safe on the trails

20220719 TPWD StaySafeTrailsAUSTIN— As we enter the summer months, Texans are heading to Texas State Parks to enjoy time outdoors. Last year, 43 state parks reported 102 heat-related illnesses in humans and pets. Since January 1, 54 heat-related incidents have already been reported, compared to 34 reported by this time last year.

With temperatures soaring into the triple digits, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is sharing their suggestions for staying safe in the outdoors.

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Palo Duro to Begin Closing Four Trails

CANYON—To curb the risk for heat exposure to visitors, Palo Duro Canyon State Park will begin closing select trails between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. when the National Weather Service issues heat advisories for the area.

Extreme heat at Palo Duro Canyon State Park led to 47 recent rescue calls in under 48 hours. Every year, the park experiences a slew of distress calls during the hot summer months, stretching park staff and emergency services thin.

"Days when Palo Duro Canyon sees extreme heat are not only dangerous for visitors, but also our first responders from around the community,” said Joe Allen, Superintendent of Palo Duro Canyon State Park. “This change will emphasize safe recreation in the heat and reduce the demand on fire and rescue teams.”

Read more: Palo Duro to Begin Closing Four Trails

La Plaza Mall partners with Food Bank

Looking to beat the heat inside while giving back to the community? La Plaza Mall invites guests to let their artistic side run wild at the Paint Party benefitting the Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley. On Saturday, July 9th from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. visitors can get their creative juices flowing while supplying the Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley with bowls for their annual Empty Bowls fundraiser.

Read more: La Plaza Mall partners with Food Bank

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