Alpine, Texas – While giving an elderly couple a ride home, a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) trooper spotted an injured owl along State Highway 118 heading south toward Terlingua. The trooper stopped, approached the bird and, noting its weakened condition, carefully secured it for transport.
Quick thinking saves a native bird
The trooper, who later nicknamed the owl “Walker” after the classic TV series “Walker, Texas Ranger,” recognized that the owl could not survive on its own. He placed the bird in a safe container and drove it to the Alpine Highway Patrol office, where a Fort Davis wildlife biologist took over the care.
From Alpine to the wider region
After a brief examination in Alpine, the owl was moved to Midland for a more thorough veterinary evaluation. Once cleared, the bird was shipped to a rehabilitation center in El Paso, where specialists will treat its injuries and work toward a future release back into the wild.
Another successful DPS wildlife rescue
The DPS West Texas Region highlighted the incident on its Facebook page, noting that this is “another owl rescue by a DPS trooper.” The post praised the trooper’s compassion and quick action, emphasizing the department’s ongoing commitment to protecting both citizens and wildlife along Texas’s remote highways.
Local residents expressed admiration for the trooper’s effort, noting that such acts of kindness reinforce the strong community spirit that defines Alpine and the surrounding West Texas region. The rescue also underscores the importance of cooperation between law‑enforcement officers and wildlife professionals in safeguarding Texas’s natural heritage.
While the owl’s recovery timeline remains uncertain, officials are optimistic that the combined expertise of DPS, the Fort Davis biologist, and the El Paso rehabilitation team will give the bird the best chance for a full recovery.
Anyone interested in learning more about wildlife rescue efforts in West Texas can follow the DPS West Texas Region’s social‑media channels for updates on future rescues and conservation initiatives.
Original reporting: CBS7 / First Alert 7 KOSA (Gray) — read the source article.
