On Oct. 21, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) received confirmation of a detection of New World screwworm (NWS) in a hunter-harvested female elk in Pecos County. A sample was collected from the elk and was identified and confirmed as NWS at the ARS Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory in Kerrville.
This detection highlights the critical role hunters, landowners, outdoor enthusiasts and wildlife professionals play in helping detect and manage the spread of NWS.