exas is preparing for the threat of New World screwworm. But just 10 years ago, this devastating flesh-eating parasite struck America’s endangered Key deer in the Florida Keys. That little-known wildlife crisis became the last U.S. screwworm outbreak—and the lessons learned there could prove critical as Texas works to keep the parasite from gaining a foothold.
Watch my new video on this topic here
In this exclusive interview, I sit down with Dr. Roel Lopez, Director of the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute, who worked with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service during the 2016 Florida Keys outbreak.
He shares firsthand insight into what happened, how the endangered Key deer were affected, and how one of the greatest wildlife disease eradication efforts in history—using millions of sterile flies—helped stop the outbreak before it spread.
We also discuss:
• Why New World screwworm is so dangerous to livestock and wildlife • The science behind the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT)
• What happened during the Florida Keys outbreak • Why the Key deer story matters to Texas today
• The current screwworm situation along the U.S.-Mexico border
• What ranchers, hunters, veterinarians, and wildlife professionals should know
• Why early detection and rapid response are essential The story of the Key deer is more than a fascinating chapter in wildlife conservation—it’s a blueprint for how science, cooperation, and decisive action can stop one of North America’s most destructive parasites.
As Texas prepares for the possibility of screwworm returning, the past may hold the key to protecting the future. If you enjoy in-depth conversations on wildlife conservation, hunting, fisheries, and the outdoors, please like, subscribe, and share. Your support helps us continue bringing you interviews with the people on the front lines of conservation.
Chester Moore
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