Trans-Pecos Wilderness
If there is one word that would describe Texas wild lands today, it would be exotic. Texans today seem to have an affinity for exotic animals, especially deer and antelope, that are not native to the state. From 1963 to 1994, the exotic population in Texas grew from about 14,000 animals of 13 species to more than 195,000 animals and 71 species. The chart below lists the six exotic animals now roaming free in the state in such numbers that they must be considered permanent additions to the mammal fauna according to The Mammals of Texas by David J. Schmidly.
As can be seen from the table below, Texas' record for preserving exotic species at the end of the 20th century seems to lean toward those least in need of help. None of the species fall within the two categories most vulnerable to extinction: (1) critically endangered and (2) endangered. Only one is included within the third most concerned category: vulnerable.
