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.
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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When most people think about wildlife in Rocky Mountain National Park, they picture bugling elk, massive bull moose, or Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep standing on impossible cliffs. Those iconic animals deserve every bit of the attention they receive.
But sometimes the smallest creatures on the mountain can tell the biggest stories.
That was the focus of today’s adventure for the Higher Calling Wildlife team.
We headed into the park with cameras in hand, hoping to photograph American pikas and yellow-bellied marmots after learning about new research examining alpine ecosystem health and the possibility that pikas could serve as an important indicator species in understanding changes taking place in these fragile, high-elevation environments.
It’s another reminder that conservation isn’t just about protecting the biggest or most famous animals. Sometimes understanding the future of an ecosystem begins with paying attention to the creatures that many visitors simply walk past.
Our daughter, Faith, absolutely loved the pikas.
There is something captivating about these tiny mammals as they dart across talus slopes carrying mouthfuls of vegetation to store for the long Rocky Mountain winter.
Public domain photo
They are quick, curious, and surprisingly vocal. Watching Faith’s excitement every time another pika appeared from between the rocks was a reminder that wildlife conservation often begins with a simple moment of wonder. She has seen them before but never this active.
Lisa and I found ourselves equally fascinated by the marmots.
I’ve always thought marmots are among the most underrated mammals in North America. They’re often dismissed as oversized ground squirrels, but spend a little time watching one and you’ll see an animal with tremendous personality.
Photo by Chester Moore
We enjoyed photographing them as they stretched out on warm rocks, stood upright to survey their surroundings, and disappeared into their burrows with surprising speed. They seem perfectly at home in one of the harshest environments on the continent.
Of course, no visit to Rocky Mountain National Park feels complete without looking for bighorn sheep. We spent time glassing the mountainsides, hoping to spot a ram or ewe navigating the cliffs. This time the sheep won. We never found them.
That’s one of the great lessons wildlife teaches. Success isn’t guaranteed. Every outing doesn’t end with the photograph you hoped to bring home, and that’s part of what keeps the experience authentic.
The mountain still rewarded us.
We spotted a cow moose, and seeing such a massive animal moving quietly through its habitat was a highlight of the day. Moose have become one of our favorite species to encounter in Colorado, and every sighting feels special because they seem to appear exactly when they choose, not when you expect them.
After leaving the park, the day wasn’t over.
One of the goals of this Colorado expedition has been combining wildlife photography with conservation outreach. We returned to town and handed out wildlife conservation gift packages to families and children, sharing resources that encourage people to learn more about the incredible animals living in these mountains. Those conversations are every bit as important as the photographs because conservation ultimately depends on people caring enough to become involved.
Faith with one of our wildlife conservation gift packages.
As we continue exploring Colorado, one thing has become increasingly clear. The story of these mountains isn’t written by mountain goats, elk, or bighorn sheep alone. It’s written by pikas gathering hay for winter, marmots soaking up the afternoon sun, moose feeding in willow bottoms, and countless other species that together form one of North America’s most remarkable ecosystems.
Sometimes the best wildlife stories aren’t about finding the biggest animal on the mountain.
Sometimes they’re about discovering that the little creatures living among the rocks may hold important clues about the future of the entire alpine landscape.
That’s a story worth telling, and one we’re excited to continue following as this expedition unfolds.
Check out the wrap-ups from the first two days of our expedition below.
Every customs inspector has to know the difference between legal and illegal wildlife products.
Every investigator working a wildlife trafficking case has to recognize species from a feather, a skull, a claw, a hide, or even a pair of boots.
During my visit to the National Wildlife Property Repository in Commerce City, CO, Taliah Farnsworth, Supervisory Wildlife Repository Specialist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Office of Law Enforcement, showed me two pairs of boots.
At first glance, they looked remarkably similar. Most people would simply see exotic leather. But they weren’t the same.
One pair was made from the skin of an arapaima, one of South America’s largest freshwater fish-a species allowed under strict permitting. The other was made from the scales of an endangered pangolin, the world’s most heavily trafficked mammal and that is strictly illegal.
There are confiscated boots at the facility made from everything from pangolins to sharks and many creatures in between..
Until she explained the differences, I couldn’t have confidently identified either one. Yet that ability to recognize protected species from what appears to be an ordinary product is exactly the kind of skill wildlife law enforcement officers develop via specialized training. Standing in an international airport or inspecting cargo arriving at a seaport, an officer who recognizes pangolin scales rather than assuming they’re simply another exotic leather product could uncover evidence of wildlife trafficking and help build a successful case that protects wildlife.
That simple demonstration perfectly illustrated the mission of the National Wildlife Property Repository. It isn’t simply a place where wildlife specimens are stored. It is a working facility in which training, education, and conservation intersect to help protect wildlife around the globe.
Pangolins are one of the most sought-after animals in the illegal wildlife trade.
I’ve had a deep interest in wildlife trafficking for years as a wildlife journalist because it undermines science-based wildlife management causes major damage to populations of iconic species around the world.
Wildlife trafficking is driven by demand for pets, traditional medicines, luxury goods, decorations, trophies, and collectibles. It strips ecosystems of wildlife, undermines decades of conservation work, and, according to law enforcement agencies worldwide, often overlaps with broader organized criminal activity.
That’s why I wanted to visit the National Wildlife Property Repository.
I wanted to get my own boots on the ground at the facility and as impressed with the staff, the collection and more importantly their mission.
I wanted to better understand how the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service trains the people responsible for identifying illegal wildlife products and supporting investigations that lead to successful wildlife trafficking cases. I also wanted to get a firsthand look at the scale of the material flowing through one of America’s least-known conservation facilities.
Even after years of reporting on wildlife conservation and trafficking, I wasn’t prepared for what I found.
The sheer diversity of wildlife represented inside the repository was staggering. Shelves held specimens from across North America and around the world. Looking at those items one by one transformed wildlife trafficking from something I’d written about for years into a “boots on the ground” reality.
At first glance, some people might wonder why the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service would maintain such an extensive collection of wildlife specimens and confiscated wildlife products. As I proceeded through the facility with Farnsworth, the answer became increasingly clear.
There seems to be no bounds to the kind of items confiscated over the years. This is a guitar made from a sea turtle shell.
This wasn’t a warehouse filled with curiosities, nor was it a museum. Every shelf, every specimen, and every confiscated item had a purpose. The repository is dedicated to training, education, and supporting investigations that help combat wildlife trafficking.
Some specimens are used to train U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service special agents, wildlife inspectors, conservation officers, customs personnel, and prosecutors. Others support educational programs for scientists and conservation professionals.
The repository also works with wildlife detection canine programs by providing training specimens so dogs can learn to locate illegally traded wildlife products hidden in luggage, shipping containers, cargo, and mail parcels. Those dogs become an additional critical line of defense against wildlife traffickers, often detecting evidence that would otherwise pass unnoticed.
For a crime as specialized as wildlife trafficking, generic training simply isn’t enough. Investigators must recognize protected species from feathers, hides, bones, scales, claws, shells, carved ivory, reptile leather, and countless other wildlife products that can easily be overlooked by an untrained eye. That level of expertise doesn’t happen by accident. It happens through places like this.
One thing that impressed me was the sheer diversity of the repository’s contents. While many people associate wildlife trafficking with elephants, rhinos, or tigers, the collection also includes evidence from poaching cases and wildlife crimes much closer to home. North American wildlife is represented throughout the repository, serving as a reminder that illegal wildlife trade isn’t just an international issue. It affects the species we hunt, fish, photograph, and admire here in the United States as well.
As we walked through the collection, Farnsworth explained that wildlife trafficking isn’t driven by a single type of buyer. Some tourists unknowingly purchase illegal souvenirs while traveling overseas. She showed me elephant-hair bracelets, the kind of item someone might buy thinking it’s simply a unique keepsake from an African safari.
But consumers have a responsibility too. Buying wildlife products without understanding where they came from or whether they are legal can help fuel the very demand that drives poaching.
Then there are collectors willing to pay premium prices for rare wildlife products. At the highest levels are sophisticated criminal networks that profit from wildlife trafficking on a global scale. The local poacher who receives only a small payment is often just one link in a much larger chain. Law enforcement agencies have documented that wildlife trafficking can overlap with wider organized criminal networks involved in activities such as money laundering, corruption, and, in some cases, other forms of transnational crime.
It reinforced something I’ve believed for a long time. Every purchase has consequences. Reducing demand is just as important as catching the traffickers who supply it, and educating people is one of the most powerful conservation tools we have.
Several stories will come from this visit. My longtime interest in the international shark trade alone will become another feature. But something about this place affected me on a deeper level, and that’s why I wanted to tell this story first here at Higher Calling Wildlife.
One image has stayed with me more than any other. Along one shelf sat tiger rugs—far more than I ever expected to see in one place. Each represented a tiger that had previously walked the forests of Asia, an apex predator removed from where it belonged. Around 1900, an estimated 100,000 wild tigers roamed Asia. Today, after generations of habitat loss, poaching, and illegal trade, only a small fraction of that number remains in the wild.
Standing there, those rugs no longer looked like confiscated evidence. They represented the staggering cost of human demand.
Nearby were jaguar specimens. As someone who has long considered the jaguar my favorite animal, that struck especially hard. Farnsworth also showed me a coat made from the hides of five different jaguars. Looking at it, I couldn’t help but think about what had been lost. Five magnificent cats that belonged in the forests of Latin America had instead become a single garment. And this wasn’t scientifically managed harvest. It was poaching.
Taliah Farnsworth with the aforementioned jaguar coat.
That moment reinforced why specialized training matters so much. The officers who investigate these crimes can’t afford to guess. They have to know exactly what they’re looking at. They have to recognize the difference between legally traded materials and protected species, understand the elaborate system of wildlife laws and permitting requirements, and identify evidence that supports successful wildlife trafficking cases.
Wildlife trade itself is far much more complex than many people realize. International agreements, federal regulations, permitting systems, and sustainably managed wildlife programs all play important roles in conservation. The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service isn’t to eliminate all wildlife trade. It’s to help ensure that the wildlife trade is lawful and sustainable, and that it does not threaten the future of the species involved. I’ll be exploring those complexities in future articles because they’re an important part of understanding this issue.
Not all illegal wildlife trade is in animal parts. Live animals like this monkey confiscated in Spain are part of the trade as well.
Walking through the repository, however, made one thing unmistakably clear. Many of the specimens housed there represent situations where those principles were ignored. They are evidence of wildlife taken illegally, trafficked unlawfully, or possessed in violation of the laws designed to protect species for future generations.
What impressed me most wasn’t simply the size of the collection. It was the extraordinary attention to detail behind it. Every specimen, every confiscated item, and every training aid has been carefully preserved because someone recognized that it could help educate another investigator, train another wildlife inspector, or prepare another detection dog. Just as impressive as the collection itself was the professionalism and passion of the people entrusted with it. Throughout the visit, it was obvious that the repository’s mission isn’t simply to preserve evidence—it’s to ensure that those specimens continue to serve wildlife through education, training, and conservation.
I left the National Wildlife Property Repository with something I hadn’t expected: optimism.
Yes, the shelves hold evidence of poaching, trafficking, and exploitation. They tell difficult stories about humanity’s impact on wildlife. But they also tell a story of dedicated professionals who have refused to let those losses be meaningless.
Every one of these animals once played an important role in its ecosystem. Today, even in death, many continue to serve the cause of conservation by helping to train the people who protect the species still living in the wild.
Perhaps that’s the repository’s greatest lesson. It has found a way to transform some of wildlife’s greatest tragedies into opportunities to educate, inspire, and better prepare the people standing on the front lines of conservation.
In a world where it’s easy to become discouraged by wildlife crime, that’s a mission worth celebrating—and one that gives me hope for the future of wildlife.
Chester Moore
Learn More
The National Wildlife Property Repository is first and foremost a working U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service law enforcement and training facility. However, as part of its educational mission, the repository offers limited public educational opportunities, including scheduled visits and programs, when staffing and operational needs allow.
For conservationists, educators, students, and anyone interested in wildlife law enforcement, it gives a unique opportunity to better understand how training, education, and scientific expertise help combat wildlife trafficking and support wildlife conservation.
If you’re interested in learning more or inquiring about future educational opportunities, contact the National Wildlife Property Repository through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Office of Law Enforcement.
Because this is an active law enforcement and training facility, public access is limited, and educational opportunities are offered only as schedules and operational obligations permit.
Our second day in Colorado ended with a little time behind the camera, and it brought us back to a place that means a great deal to me. In 2019, I launched a personal photography project I called Turkey Revolution.
The goal was to photograph the Grand Slam of North American wild turkeys—all four subspecies—in a single year. That meant the Osceola of Florida, the Eastern, America’s most widespread wild turkey, the Rio Grande of Texas, Mexico and parts of the Great Plains, and finally the mountain bird, the Merriam’s turkey.
One of the Merriam’s turkeys we photographed today.
I completed that journey right here in Estes Park.
The bird that finished the project wasn’t just any Merriam’s. It was an incredibly rare cinnamon-phase hen that also had a beard and was leading a brood of cinnamon-colored poults. It’s still one of the most memorable wildlife photography encounters I’ve ever had.
Tonight, we returned to that exact same location.
We haven’t downloaded the images from our cameras yet, but we’re excited because we photographed several Merriam’s turkeys showing that same cinnamon coloration. This is now the third time we’ve documented these unusually colored birds in this area. Once we get the photos downloaded, we’ll share them. For now, enjoy the above quick cell phone image from this evening.
A super rare cinammon color phase Merriam’s bearded hen the author photographed in Colorado in 2019.
We also photographed another hen with a large group of poults along with several other Merriam’s turkeys.
One of my favorite parts of the evening was watching my daughter Faith enjoy photographing them. Before we headed out she said, “I hope we see turkeys tonight.” Thankfully, the mountains delivered.
Merriam’s turkeys don’t get nearly the attention that elk, moose, bears or bighorn sheep receive here, but they are one of the Rocky Mountains’ most fascinating and overlooked wildlife species.
Did You Know?
Merriam’s turkeys are the mountain specialists among North America’s wild turkey subspecies, commonly living in ponderosa pine forests and open mountain woodlands.
They prefer open forests, where they can spot predators from long distances. Forest management that maintains open conditions often benefits them.
Their diet changes with the seasons, ranging from insects and fresh green vegetation in spring and summer to acorns, pine seeds and other mast crops later in the year.
Healthy turkey populations often reflect healthy forests. While they are adaptable birds, thriving populations usually indicate good habitat diversity and productive ecosystems.
I’ve often said that, in many ways, as turkeys go, so go America’s forests. That principle isn’t limited to the East. It certainly applies here in the Rockies, where healthy forests support everything from Merriam’s turkeys to mule deer, elk and bighorn sheep.
Today wasn’t just about photography. We also spent time with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, continuing conversations about wildlife conservation. We went and scouted an area for animals for a teen boy and his mother we are taking out to do photography in the coming days.
And this evening we put together our wildlife conservation gift packages, getting everything ready for tomorrow’s outreach.
Tomorrow is the big day. We’ll be heading to one of the park areas where families and kids often gather to hand out our conservation gift packages. Every trip like this is about more than taking pictures. It’s about helping the next generation discover the incredible wildlife around them and understand why it’s worth conserving.
We’ll share more of tonight’s turkey photos as soon as we get them downloaded from the cameras.
Until then, enjoy this quick cell phone image and if you haven’t already, be sure to read yesterday’s story about our return to Mount Blue Sky and the conservation lessons we found there. Read it here.
Chester Moore
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Yesterday, the Higher Calling Wildlife® team returned to Colorado’s Mount Blue Sky, and it felt like coming full circle.
Last year Higher Calling Wildlife published a story called The Girl, the Mountain Goat and the Promise. The article centered on an encounter between my daughter Faith and a mountain goat high above the treeline on one of Colorado’s most iconic peaks.
It was a story about wildlife, but more importantly, it was a story about connection—the kind of connection that happens when a young person experiences wild animals up close and begins to understand why they matter.
Photo by Faith Moore.
That story resonated with readers and later earned recognition from the Press Club of Southeast Texas at its 2026 Excellence In Media Awards. Looking back, what makes that story meaningful is not the award itself, but the fact that the promise behind it continues to unfold.
Yesterday, Faith captured some of her best mountain goat photographs yet.
Watching her carefully work the alpine landscape with camera in hand was a reminder of how powerful wildlife experiences can be. My wife, Lisa Moore, was there as well, sharing another memorable day in a place that has become special to our family and to the mission of Higher Calling Wildlife.
Over the years, we have returned to Mount Blue Sky multiple times and have brought young people there to photograph wildlife and experience conservation firsthand. For many, it was their first opportunity to see mountain goats, bighorn sheep, marmots and other alpine wildlife in their natural environment.
Those moments matter because conservation is not built solely through research, regulations and management plans. It is also built through personal experiences that inspire people to care.
Bighorn ewe and lamb on Mount Blue Sky taken during the 2023 expedition. (Photo by Chester Moore)
Mount Blue Sky is uniquely suited for that mission because it is one of the most accessible places in North America to observe alpine wildlife. Yet behind the incredible scenery lies one of the most fascinating conservation stories in the West.
The mountain is one of the few places where introduced mountain goats and native Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep occupy the same landscape. While both species are beloved by wildlife enthusiasts, their coexistence presents challenges for wildlife managers.
Mountain goats can harbor pathogens that may pose risks to bighorn sheep populations. Because of those concerns, wildlife managers have spent years studying how the two species interact and looking for ways to reduce unnecessary contact between them.
The issue is especially important around the Summit Lake area, where both species can be drawn to mineral-rich locations near roads and parking areas. During previous visits, members of our team encountered personnel associated with Denver Zoo conservation efforts applying mountain lion urine around portions of the Summit Lake area. The scent was being used as a deterrent to discourage wildlife from congregating in locations where sheep and goats might gather together.
To many visitors, the idea sounds unusual. But it demonstrates how creative wildlife management sometimes becomes when conservationists are trying to protect vulnerable wildlife populations.
Mount Blue Sky has also become one of Colorado’s most important research sites for mountain goats.
One of the most memorable examples involved a collared nanny goat we photographed during a previous expedition. What initially seemed like a simple wildlife sighting turned into a fascinating conservation story.
The goat carried a GPS collar and ear tag. After reporting the animal and contacting Colorado Parks and Wildlife, we learned she was identified as Ear Tag #1128 and had been fitted with a GPS collar in October 2016. Biologists estimated she was at least five years old when collared. Although the collar ultimately stopped transmitting after only a few months, the data it provided revealed something remarkable. During the period it functioned, the nanny spent her entire time within approximately 2.2 square miles of the Mount Blue Sky area.
The collared nanny. Photo by Chester Moore
That information may sound simple, but it helps researchers better understand mountain goat movements, habitat use and survival. Every data point contributes to a clearer picture of how these animals live on the mountain.
The experience reinforced an important lesson: reporting wildlife tags matters.
A photograph, a tag number or a collar observation may seem insignificant to the average visitor, but those observations can provide valuable information to wildlife managers and researchers. Conservation is often advanced not only by scientists but also by ordinary people who take the time to notice and report what they see.
Standing on Mount Blue Sky yesterday, it was impossible not to appreciate how all of these elements come together.
Research. Conservation. Education. Inspiration.
The mountain serves as a living classroom where visitors can witness wildlife management in action. Researchers gather data that helps guide conservation decisions. Families experience wildlife they may never see anywhere else. Young photographers discover a passion for the natural world.
That is what the original promise was really about.
It was never simply about a mountain goat.
It was about helping people, especially young people, discover why wildlife matters and why conservation deserves their attention and support.
As Faith photographed mountain goats against the spectacular backdrop of Colorado’s high country yesterday, that lesson felt as relevant as ever.
The Higher Calling Wildlife team is currently on expedition in Colorado, and along the way we have been sharing wildlife conservation gift packages with young people and families, encouraging them to learn more about wildlife and become involved in conservation. Whether through photography, wildlife watching, hunting, fishing, scientific research or habitat stewardship, everyone can play a role in protecting the natural world.
And the journey isn’t over.
We’re heading back to Mount Blue Sky again before this expedition concludes.
There will likely be more mountain goats and more bighorn sheep. There will hopefully be more opportunities to share conservation messages with young people. And there will certainly be more chances to witness firsthand the incredible wildlife that makes this mountain so special.
Because every collar tells a story.
Every mountain goat has something to teach us.
And every young person inspired by wildlife represents hope for the future of conservation.
Chester Moore
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Today, I’ll be heading west once again for a Higher Calling Wildlife® outreach expedition in Colorado and Wyoming, and I couldn’t be more excited.
For many people, a trip to the Rockies is about incredible scenery, wildlife viewing, and outdoor adventure. For me, it’s about those things, but it’s also about something deeper. Every trip is an opportunity to connect people—especially young people—with wildlife, conservation, and hope.
Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll be spending time in and around Estes Park, Colorado Springs, Denver, and other areas of Colorado. We’ll be photographing wildlife, exploring some amazing landscapes, and working on several outreach projects designed to inspire the next generation of conservationists, wildlife photographers, and outdoor communicators.
One of the things I’m most excited about is helping young people learn about photojournalism and wildlife storytelling. Wildlife photography is much more than taking pictures. It’s about telling stories that connect people with nature. A powerful image can inspire someone to care about conservation, appreciate wildlife, or even change the direction of their life.
I’ve seen that happen firsthand.
The National Bighorn Sheep Center recently re-published the award-winning article in their magazine.
One of the reasons mountain goats have become such a special focus for our family and for Higher Calling Wildlife goes back to an experience we had several years ago atop Mount Blue Sky.
At the time, I was scouting locations for a wildlife outing we were planning for young people. My daughter Faith, who was 16 years old then, was with me as we explored the mountain and looked for opportunities to photograph wildlife.
During that scouting trip, she photographed a mountain goat.
Neither of us knew it at the time, but that image would go on to win a major national photography award.
For me, the story was about far more than a photograph. Years earlier, when Lea and I made the decision to adopt Faith, I felt the Lord put something on my heart regarding her future and how wildlife and the outdoors would become part of her story. Watching her grow as a wildlife photographer and seeing that image receive national recognition felt like the fulfillment of something God had spoken long before.
I eventually wrote about that experience here on Higher Calling Wildlife. Earlier this year, that article received First Place in Faith-Based Inspirational Writing at the 2026 Press Club of Southeast Texas Excellence in Media Awards.
That mountain goat encounter became one of those defining moments that reminded me why we do what we do. It also helped spark an even deeper appreciation for mountain goats and the high-country environments they call home. Ever since then, they’ve been among the wildlife species we most enjoy photographing, studying, and sharing with others.
Experiences like that are why these expeditions matter.
I’ve seen kids gain confidence through photography. I’ve seen young people discover a passion for conservation. I’ve watched children who were struggling find peace and purpose through experiences in the outdoors. Sometimes all it takes is a single encounter with wildlife or one meaningful moment in nature.
Those moments are why Higher Calling Wildlife exists.
This trip will include opportunities to document some of the incredible wildlife that makes the Rocky Mountains such a special place. Whether it’s elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, birds of prey, mule deer, or some unexpected species we encounter along the way, we’ll be sharing photos and stories throughout the journey.
We’ll also be working on projects designed to help young people understand how photography and journalism can be used as tools for conservation. Too often, young people are told to consume content. We want to teach them how to create it—to tell stories that matter and use their talents to make a positive impact.
Another major highlight of the trip will take place in Dubois, Wyoming, where we’ll be partnering with the National Bighorn Sheep Center to teach a day of Big Camp Bighorn. Helping young people learn about wild sheep conservation and the incredible animals that inhabit some of North America’s most rugged landscapes is something I care deeply about, and I’m honored to be part of that effort.
Wild sheep have played a significant role in my conservation work over the years, and every opportunity to introduce young people to their story is a blessing.
As always, this expedition is about more than wildlife.
It’s about relationships.
It’s about mentorship.
It’s about conservation.
And ultimately, it’s about helping people see the wonder of creation and recognize that their lives have value, purpose, and meaning.
None of this would be possible without the support of people who believe in the mission of Higher Calling Wildlife. Through your prayers, encouragement, and financial support, we’re able to continue reaching young people through wildlife conservation, photography, outdoor education, and storytelling.
If you’d like to help support future expeditions and outreach efforts, we would greatly appreciate it. Every contribution helps us create opportunities for young people to experience wildlife, learn about conservation, develop creative skills, and discover hope through the outdoors.
Most of all, I would appreciate your prayers as we travel and carry out this work. I’m looking forward to sharing photographs, wildlife encounters, stories, and lessons learned from the mountains in the days ahead.
Stay tuned.
The Rockies are calling once again, and I can’t wait to see what God has in store.
Chester Moore
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Few parasites in modern history have caused as much concern among wildlife biologists, ranchers, and animal health experts as the New World Screwworm.
Unlike most parasites, screwworm larvae feed on living tissue. Animals suffering from an infestation can develop severe wounds that grow larger as the larvae continue feeding. Left untreated, infestations can become life-threatening.
The United States once fought a decades-long battle against screwworm, ultimately achieving one of the greatest animal health victories in history by eradicating the parasite from the country. For many Americans, screwworm became little more than a historical footnote.
Today, however, concern is growing once again.
To better understand the threat, I recently spoke with legendary wildlife biologist Larry Weishuhn, known to many as “Mr. Whitetail.” Larry witnessed the original screwworm crisis firsthand and observed the damage it caused before the parasite was eliminated from the United States.
His perspective is particularly valuable because it combines historical experience with decades of wildlife management expertise. During our conversation, we discussed the biology of screwworm, the lessons learned from past eradication efforts, and what wildlife managers, ranchers, hunters, and outdoor enthusiasts should be watching as this situation develops.
One thing is clear: the New World Screwworm is not simply another wildlife issue. It is a parasite with a long history of affecting wildlife, livestock, and rural communities, and its return has captured the attention of experts across multiple fields.
As more information becomes available, continued monitoring, public awareness, and cooperation between wildlife agencies, livestock producers, and animal health officials will be critical.
For those who care about wildlife conservation, hunting, ranching, and the future of America’s natural resources, the New World Screwworm is a story worth following closely.
Wildlife professionals, livestock producers, hunters, and conservationists are closely monitoring developments involving the New World Screwworm and its movement closer to the United States. The potential impacts extend far beyond individual animals.
Whitetail deer, livestock, pets, and even endangered wildlife species could all face risks if screwworm becomes established in areas where it has previously been absent. Beyond animal health concerns, the economic and conservation implications could be substantial.
Chester Moore
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BEAUMONT, Texas — Wildlife journalist, conservationist, and Higher Calling Wildlife® founder Chester Moore earned eight First-Place awards and multiple additional honors at the 35th Annual Press Club of Southeast Texas Excellence in Media Awards, with recognition spanning faith-based writing, conservation storytelling, documentary filmmaking, podcasting, public service broadcasting, and digital media.
The awards were presented by the Press Club of Southeast Texas and featured competition from mainstream television, radio, print, and digital media organizations throughout the region.
Chester and his wife Lisa at the 2026 Press Club awards.
Among Moore’s First-Place honors was the Faith-Based/Inspirational category for The Girl, the Mountain Goat, and the Promise, an article published on the Higher Calling Wildlife blog. The story chronicled his daughter Lyla’s mountain goat hunt and the faith journey, challenges, and lessons that surrounded the experience.
“That story was especially meaningful because it wasn’t simply about wildlife or the outdoors,” Moore said. “It was about faith, perseverance, family, and keeping a promise. To see it recognized is truly humbling.”
Higher Calling Wildlife also earned Second Place for Best Blog. While it marked the first time in five years that Higher Calling Wildlife did not capture First Place in the category, the outcome reflected the continued growth of Moore’s broader media platforms.
He won best special publication for his work as chief writer for the Wild Sheep Foundation’s Conservation Impact document.
Dark Outdoors earned First Place for Best Blog, while the Gulf Great White Shark Society blog earned Third Place, giving Moore’s publications a sweep of the category with First-, Second-, and Third-Place honors.
Dark Outdoors also received First Place for Podcast Excellence, recognizing its unique blend of wildlife, conservation, history, mystery, and outdoor storytelling.
Additional First-Place honors recognized Moore’s work with the Gulf Great White Shark Society, including Best Documentary for Gulf Great White Sharks: Return of an Icon, Best Press Release for the documentary’s premiere event at the Museum of the Gulf Coast, and a Public Service Announcement broadcast on iHeartRadio NewsTalk 560 KLVI that raised awareness about great white sharks in Gulf waters.
Moore served as writer, producer, and narrator of Gulf Great White Sharks: Return of an Icon, while Paul Fuzinski partnered on the project as videographer and editor. The documentary previously earned Best Outdoors Video honors from the Texas Outdoor Writers Association.
“These awards are particularly meaningful because they come from a competition filled with talented, hardworking journalists who care deeply about serving their audiences and communities,” Moore said. “It is an honor to be recognized alongside such a prestigious field of professionals.
“What encourages me most is seeing faith, conservation, wildlife, and outdoor storytelling resonate with broader audiences. Whether it’s a story about great white sharks, a personal journey of faith, conservation issues, or the mysteries of the outdoors, people still connect with stories that inform, inspire, and make them think.”
Through Higher Calling Wildlife, Dark Outdoors, and the Gulf Great White Shark Society, Moore continues to produce award-winning content focused on wildlife conservation, outdoor adventure, faith, education, and public outreach.
The recognition reflects a long-standing commitment to telling stories that connect people with the natural world while encouraging stewardship, appreciation, and wonder.
About Higher Calling Wildlife
Founded by Chester Moore, Higher Calling Wildlife is a media platform dedicated to wildlife conservation, outdoor adventure, faith-based inspiration, and storytelling that connects people to the natural world. Through articles, podcasts, documentaries, radio features, public outreach, and conservation initiatives, Higher Calling Wildlife seeks to educate, inspire, and encourage stewardship of wildlife and wild places.
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Sharks have a unique way of capturing the imagination of young people. For some children, that fascination becomes the first step toward a lifelong appreciation for wildlife and conservation.
That is one reason the Museum of the Gulf Coast’s upcoming Shark Camp is such an exciting opportunity for Southeast Texas families.
From June 15–18, children in 1st through 5th grade will spend four mornings immersed in shark education, ocean exploration, conservation lessons, and hands-on activities designed to make learning fun and memorable.
Topics include:
Bull Sharks of Sabine Lake
Great White Shark conservation
Ocean ecosystems
A special “Swim with Sharks” green screen experience
Wildlife journalist and conservationist Chester Moore will teach two sessions during the camp, sharing stories and insights from years of shark research and outreach efforts along the Gulf Coast.
Moore has long believed sharks can serve as ambassadors for marine conservation and inspire young people to become more interested in wildlife stewardship and the natural world around them.
The excitement does not stop when Shark Camp ends. On June 20, the Museum of the Gulf Coast will host the free “Great White Sharks in the Gulf Family Day,” a shark-themed event featuring conservation exhibits, educational displays, interactive activities, and a screening of the documentary Gulf Great White Sharks.
Following the film, Moore will take part in a live Q&A session and host a signing for his new book, Gulf Great White Sharks: Their Return and Other Large Sharks of the Forgotten Sea, which officially debuts at the event.
The family day celebration is free and open to the public and highlights the growing interest in great white sharks and other large shark species found in Gulf waters.
Shark Camp Details: June 15–18 10 a.m.–12 p.m. Museum of the Gulf Coast Cost: $20 per child
Opportunities like this remind us that conservation starts with education—and sometimes all it takes is one shark encounter to change a young life forever.
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Stories about jaguars supposedly being secretly released into Texas have been spreading rapidly online. Social media posts, supposed trail camera photos, mysterious sightings, and dramatic claims about predators roaming South Texas are everywhere right now.
In this episode of Dark Outdoors, I investigate the growing wave of viral predator stories flooding the internet and examine how artificial intelligence, fake wildlife content, bot-driven social media pages, and fear-based engagement farming are reshaping the way people view wildlife.
The deeper I looked into these jaguar rumors, the stranger things became.
Some images appear convincing at first glance. Certain stories are being shared thousands of times. Entire pages seem dedicated to spreading predator panic. And mixed into all of it are real questions about jaguar history in Texas, modern conservation efforts, and whether people can still tell the difference between authentic wildlife encounters and manufactured fiction.
This episode dives into viral jaguar release rumors in Texas, AI-generated wildlife hoaxes, fake predator sightings and trail camera photos, social media misinformation campaigns, AI bot networks, predator fear culture online, the real history of jaguars in Texas, and how fake wildlife stories can damage legitimate conservation efforts.
As AI-generated content becomes more realistic by the day, the line between truth and fiction is getting harder to recognize—and wildlife may be one of the first places where people completely lose trust in what they’re seeing.
Or worse… stop caring whether it’s true at all.
Listen to this episode of Dark Outdoors and decide for yourself:
Cocaine Sharks!
Cocaine sharks are real!
In this interview, over at gulfgreatwhites.com environmental engineer and science communicator Dr. Tracy Fanara explains what scientists are actually discovering about sharks, pharmaceuticals in the ocean, and how chemical exposure could be affecting marine life.
From trace contaminants in coastal waters to broader questions about water quality, we explore how human activity is changing ocean ecosystems—and what that could mean for sharks, fish, and other wildlife.
How do substances like pharmaceuticals—and even drugs—end up in the ocean? What impact can they have on marine animals? And are these changes something new, or something we’re only just beginning to detect?
This conversation goes beyond the viral idea of “cocaine sharks” to look at the real science behind pollution, behavior, and the future of ocean life.
Chester Moore
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