Wildlife Impacted By Historic Winter Storm In El Paso & Around Texas

The historic winter storm that froze much of Texas has dramatically taken a toll on native wildlife populations throughout the state.

It's been a couple of weeks since Winter Storm Uri not only knocked out power and left many residents without water, but the cold snap also had an impact on wildlife, from a chimpanzee freezing to death to birds getting displaced across miles from their native habitats.

Due to downed power grids, several animals, including a Chimpanzee and monkeys, died after a sanctuary lost power.

Earlier this week, Padre Island National Seashore Division of Sea Turtle Science & Recovery reported that over 9,400 cold-stunned sea turtles had been recorded across Texas. A massive number not been seen since 1980, when the organization documented the last largest cold-stunning event in the U.S.

The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) also reports that fish have been impacted as "shallow waters, especially in coastal areas, may not survive a hard freeze, resulting in large fish kills" during cold snaps.

In El Paso, several birds were displaced due to the winter storm, including a rare seabird that made an unbelievable voyage all the way from the Florida Keys.

According to the El Paso Zoo, a Good Samaritan found the Magnificent Frigatebird and took it straight to the zoo where the veterinary team is currently rehabilitating the seabird that was exhausted and hungry but had no broken bones or injuries.

The rare seabird remains at the El Paso Zoo until she recovers from her desert journey, and arrangements can be made to transport her to a rehabilitation center in the Florida Keys.

Another El Pasoan also posted on Facebook after spotting an American White Pelican at Ascarate Lake. See the post HERE.

Sadly, as most of Texas still struggles to get back on its feet, the damage to wildlife and long-term impacts of their habitats, and vegetation, may not be known for weeks until the snow starts to melt and the weather improves.