Big Bend National Park
News and Pictures
 

Big Bend News!
(Latest news added 11/05)
 

Border Crossings in BBNP! Border crossings within the park are no longer authorized. More details are listed here. More border crossing information is here and here.

Big Bend National Park endangered! The National Parks and Conservation Association (NPCA) has announced its list of the ten most endangered parks in the United States, and Big Bend National Park ranked as the second most endangered park in the country (Alaska Parks are listed as number one on the list). From National Parks magazine: "Pollution clouds the future of Big Bend National Park, home to the greatest variety of mammal and reptile species in the country. Scenic views that typically exceed 100 miles are often reduced by air pollution [to] just nine miles. In addition, the Rio Grande, the backbone of the park's fragile ecosystem, faces water quality issues and a water shortage."

BBNP named as one of America's "Globally Important Areas" by the American Bird Conservancy (ABC). Almost 450 species of birds are protected within Big Bend National Park establishing the park as one of America's premier birding sites.

Dinosaur Discovered! In October of 1999, paleontologists from the University of Texas, Dallas, discovered the intact remains of a fossilized dinosaur! This "potentially significant find" may represent the largest dinosaur fossil ever found in Texas and a species new to science. According to one of the researchers, "It has a monstrous neck, quite a lot bigger than anything we have seen... It could be a whole new group of animals." Delivered to the Dallas Museum of Natural History, after being airlifted from Big Bend National Park, the dinosaur will be studied for several years. 10 pieces of articulated vertebrae, almost 30 feet in length and weighing more than 5 tons, made the trip from west Texas. Scientists believe this section of neck and spine will make this find more than twice the size of your "average" long-necked vegetarian dinosaur! With further study, scientists expect this fossil to be that of the Alamosaurus species of the sauropod dinosaur. This creature could grow to 70-90 feet in length, weigh more than 30 tons, and lived 65 million to 75 million years ago. The park will get a replica of the find to exhibit to the public. For pictures visit http://www.nps.gov/bibe/dinopics.htm

Peregrine Falcons Update! Some Park Closures for the Peregrines. There are only 11 nesting pairs of the Peregrine falcon in Texas, and to help the bird of prey the park has closed some areas to the public. For the past three years Big Bend Peregrines have experienced poor nesting success. In 1998, only three fledglings were found, in 1999 only five, and at the conclusion of the 2002 study six fledglings were confirmed. Friends of Big Bend National Park and DuPont donated $10,000 in 2002 to conduct research on the Peregrine Falcons in the park. An additional $5,000 came from the National Park Service Southwest Cooperative Ecosystem Study Unit. Study included prey bird specimens to determine the extent of  mercury and other toxic metals in the diet of the Falcon population of Big Bend. A 25-page report entitled "Status of American Peregrine Falcons in Big Bend National Park, 2002" becomes part of a nationwide monitoring effort. Several areas are closed to the public, please check with park officials.

Black Bears Besiege Big Bend! Back in black. A 4-year study is now being concluded. Trapping and hunting, as well as destruction of natural habitat, led to the near elimination of black bears from the Big Bend country by the time the national park was established in 1944. As recently as 1988 there were no resident breeding bears, though the rare sighting by a park visitor would occur. A black bear sow with cubs was photographed twelve years ago, and this year it is estimated that as many as 25 to 30 bears roam the 50-square-mile area of the Chisos Mountains at the heart of Big Bend National Park. The bears have re-colonized without human intervention, and it is thought that this is the first time this has ever happened with a large mammal species. Now, say park rangers, the most important tasks are to educate the people and to maintain a suitable habitat for the bears. The best way for humans and bears to live together is for the people to respect the bears for what they are - wild animals. Leave them alone, and they'll leave people alone. Friends of Big Bend National Park donated $10,000 to the park to complete a study on the denning behavior and movement of Big Bend black bears in the winter and spring of 2001. In September, 2000, there were 15 radio-collared bears in the park, but by January, 2001, that number had decreased, and at the close of 2002, only one radio-collared bear remained in the study. Four bears are known to be alive in the park, two are alive in Mexico, five had died (one in the park and four in Mexico), and the whereabouts of four were unknown. Research and monitoring confirms that no cubs were born in the park last season.

Desert Bighorn Sheep! (New! 1/03) The bighorn sheep was once common in the Big Bend area, but was completed wiped-out of the area before the park was established. Texas Parks & Wildlife Department has recently begun restoring the sheep to parts of their native range. Many of the sheep are radio-collared in order to determine survival rates, habitat, and reproductive success. The information will contribute to bighorn protection and support efforts, habitat protection, law enforcement education, and inter-agency cooperation.

Big Bend License Plates! Did you know you can order a Big Bend License plate for your vehicle? The beautiful plate costs $40.00 and $35.00 is returned to Big Bend National Park for special projects (like the ones mentioned above)! As of the July, 2000, newsletter from FBBNP there are have been more than 1300 of the special plates purchased! There is a link on the "Favorite Links" page to the Texas DOT site. There you can see the plate and find out how to order yours, or send an email for information and an application to lamkin@overland.net . For the cost of one nice dinner out each year, you can do tremendous good for your favorite national treasure.

Friends of Big Bend National Park! Become a FBBNP by purchasing a special Texas BBNP license plate for your car or light truck - it's that simple! At the 9/21/02 FBBNP meeting, $30,000 was  directed to park projects, including:

Wear Your Support! You can now wear your support for Friends of Big Bend National Park! Simply choose merchandise from any Land's End catalog or the Lands' End website. With merchandise stock numbers in hand call 1-800-338-2000 for custom logo application information. Note - you cannot order using the regular Lands' End phone line and you cannot order on the Internet. This is a special arrangement with special circumstances and restrictions. Call for pricing and more detail.

It's not just "Ride The Rio"! The "Ride For Trails" Motorcycle Rally (every October) has raised more than $6,000 in its first three years. Funds raised are used to improve and maintain hiking trails within Big Bend National Park. The rally is headquartered at the Lajitas Resort. Visit www.bigbendfriends.org for more information and how to register.

Water in the desert. Having a reliable water supply for the Chisos Basin has proved to be a difficult task. Several wells drilled since the Fifties have proved less than successful, or a complete failure (after initial high-flow rates). In 1999, several water conservation measures were introduced to the Basin, including prohibiting outdoor water use (such as watering lawns or campgrounds). In addition, automatic water shut-off faucets have been added to campground restrooms, the Lodge received a special water-saving dishwasher, and signs were placed at all spigots which ask visitors to reduce their water usage. With no significant rainfall since August, 1999, Oak Springs (the main water source for the Basin) recorded its lowest flow-rate since the 1950s! Not only that, but wells that supply Panther Junction have decreased their output. Obviously, the current drought is the main culprit, but aging equipment is also impacting the areas' water supply. Drought contingency and water conservation plans are in effect and and being revised as the water situation worsens.

Big Bend National Park's Management Plan. If you would like to be kept informed of the planning process, or to comment, please contact the Park to be placed on the Management Plan's newsletter list. Call 915- 477-2251 or log onto the Big Bend home page . Please indicate that you wish to be on the mailing list to receive information for the general management plan of BBNP. This is a great way to make your views known on how you would like to see BBNP and the Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River managed in the years to come.

Big Bend National Park Announces Fee Increase. Effective February 2003, vehicle entrance fees will be increased to $15.00 per week. Campground fees are increased to $10.00 per site per night. Group campground fees increased to $3.00 per person per night. The previous increase was in 1997.

Did you know? I.  Big Bend National Park was authorized by Congress in 1935. The Park includes rich biological and geological diversity, cultural history, recreational resources, among others. The purpose of Big Bend National Park is threefold: 1) preserve and protect all natural and cultural resources, 2) provide recreational opportunities for diverse groups that are compatible with the protection and appreciation of the park resources, and 3) provide educational opportunities to foster understanding and appreciation of the natural and human history of the region.

Did you know? II.  Big Bend National Park has 112 miles of paved roads, 45 miles of improved unpaved roads, more than 100 miles of primitive unpaved roads, and 200 miles of hiking trails.

Did you know? III.  Big Bend National Park has 11 species of amphibians, 5 species of reptiles 40 species of fish, 75 species of mammals, 450 species of birds, and over 1,200 species of plants. Suspiciously missing from this list? Insects...

Did you know? IV.  The Javelina. The javelina (tayassu tajacu) is common to Big Bend National Park and can be found as far south as Argentina and as far north as Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. Mistaken for a member of the pig family, the collared peccaries are plant and fruit eaters, but are also opportunistic and can digest animal matter when it is easily available or accidentally ingested. Javelina drink water when it is available, but it is not essential if succulents are available. Most births occur in May, June, or July, but can happen at any time. Interestingly, only death or disease will end the ability to breed and bear young. Average life span is 7.5 years. Herd size ranges from five to nearly thirty, though Big Bend herds average fourteen. Javelinas has poor eyesight, but have a well-developed sense of smell. However, if you are downwind, it's possible to get with ten feet before being detected. Considered a sporting animal in Texas since the 1940s, the javelina is protected in Big Bend National Park.

Be like Mike! You can never have too many maps, so says Big Bend fan, meteorologist, and climatologist Mike Fernandez, and we agree! The Big Bend Natural History Association bookstore is now online! All the books and maps available for purchase in the brick and mortar store are available online via secure server.
Dial up www.bigbendbookstore.org to place your order. Order early and order often!

Seminars! Did you know that Big Bend National Park offers seminars throughout the year? Some of this years topics include: Geology Jeep Tour, Archeology Jeep Tour, Cacti of Big Bend, Snake Stories, Black Bears, Desert Survival, Tracking In The Desert, and more!

Park Visitation! 1998 was the busiest year ever for Big Bend National Park with 340,806 visitors. 1999 was down 3.2% to 330,013 visitors. 2001 was the second busiest on record with 331,291. 2002 brought a slight (.36%) decrease in attendance with 330,111 visitors.

Weather! 1999 was slightly drier than normal. On the average, Panther Junction (9.79" this year) receives 12-14 inches yearly. The Chisos Basin (14.54" this year) is closer to 17 inches and the Rio Grande Village (6.79" this year) usually receives about 7 inches. 2001 was the second driest year in 44 years of record-keeping at Panther Junction, and tied for the driest year at Chisos Basin (53 years of record-keeping). 2002 saw nearly average rainfall: Panther Junction recorded14.34" and Chisos Basin recorded 8.58". 2003 is off to a good start thanks to a tropical depression that moved west from the Gulf of Mexico to near Corpus Christi, Del Rio, TX to northern Mexico and right across the Big Bend National Park area.

Area Code Changes! April 2003 brought new area codes to the Big Bend area.  The new number for Big Bend National Park will be 432-477-2251, and for Friends of Big Bend National Park the new number will be 432-477-2242.

More Info! Learn more about Big Bend News! Visit http://www.nps.gov/bibe/home.htm and www.bigbendfriends.org now! Questions on Friends of Big Bend National Park, or need a BBNP license plate application form? Email lamkin@overland.net . 

Pictures!

The scenery of the Big Bend area and Big Bend National Park is like no other place in the country, and certainly not like anyplace else in Texas! This area should be required viewing by every American and certainly every Texan! Either by car, by motorcycle, by mountain bike, by foot, or even by light aircraft, make sure you visit long enough to get dusty! If you should be lucky enough to visit after a fresh rain, you are one of the fortunate few who will see more color in the desert than most of us ever will. Stick around for the night sky and you might wish it was dark all the time - it is that good!

These pictures of Big Bend and Big Bend National Park should give you an idea why we feel this way, and why anyone who has visited this national treasure will agree.

Photo credits:
"Pecos Bridge" by Chris Page. All other photos by Steve Guynes.