History of Exotics
Ex·ot·ic (ig-zot-ik), adj. “…medium to large sized non-indigenous or non-native mammals (and birds) that landowners have introduced onto Texas ranches and properties in either a confined or free-ranging status. Most of the common species of exotic mammals currently found on Texas ranches fall under one of the following three major scientific families: Cervidae (deer), Bovidae (cattle and antelope) and Equidae (horses and zebras).” – Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), Exotics in Texas, by Max Traweek and Roy Welch, April 1992.
Exotics in the USA… and Here to Stay
Exotics have reached the U.S. from every corner of our great earth. From Africa to Asia, India to New Zealand, U.S. ranchers and conservationists have been importing exotic game species to this country since the early 1930′s.
…in states like Texas, exotics have exploded onto the landscape.
The first documented transplantation took place as the King Ranch introduced Nilgai antelope between 1930 and 1941. In the meantime, in states like Texas, exotics have exploded onto the landscape.
A census performed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in 1963 revealed 13 different species, numbering 13,000 animals. By 1984, that number had ballooned to approximately 120,000 animals of 67 species; over the next 10 years, exotic estimates had risen to almost 200,000 and 71 species. Nearly 80,000 of those animals were thought to be free-ranging in Texas.
The numbers of many species brought to the U.S. have actually grown and surpassed the populations now found on their native home ranges. Much of this can be contributed to climate, habitat, and available space. A temperate or semi-arid, almost year ’round climate in Texas, creates an atmosphere much like that of Africa or India.
Exotics seem to have found their nook and don’t look be going anywhere, anytime soon. So AAE.com was created to celebrate and to educate anyone willing to learn about these fascinating “strangers” that seem to have embedded themselves in North America.
Exotics seem to have found their nook and don’t look be going anywhere, anytime soon. So AAE.com was created to celebrate and to educate anyone willing to learn about these fascinating “strangers” that seem to have embedded themselves in North America.
