A male Houston toad was detected on restored Bastrop County land after decades away from Harris County, part of a multi‑partner push that reintroduced millions of eggs this year.

New reporting and longtime mammal inventories show more than 100,000 free‑roaming exotic mammals in Texas — from nilgai to blackbuck — raising disease and regulatory questions. The split between free‑roaming animals and fenced game ranches complicates management.

Enchanted Rock’s new Backcountry Area opens on Tuesday with about 10.5 miles of rugged trail and limited facilities, after the park more than doubled in size.