Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute Report of Current Research: 2023 Page: 1

                                
Foreward

Resilience

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South Texas is a fascinating place to study wildlife. No two  -
years are the same, and this last summer was on the upper end
of heat and the lower end of spring and summer rainfall. I
gauge conditions in and around Kingsville by the water level in
a pond behind my house. The last time it went dry was during
the drought of 2011. It went dry this summer. The pond is a
magnet for birds, and I greatly enjoy unwinding after a day in the office, camera and binoculars in hand, prowlin
edge of the pond. As the pond dried up, diamond-backed water snakes and garter snakes joined egrets, herons,
and ibises to gorge on the fish concentrated in the small amount of water left. Then the pond went dry and th
seemed to drain out of the basin.

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After 6 weeks of sitting dry, a 3-inch rain filled up the pond. The next day, I noticed
schools of minnows darting under the water's surface and 15-inch gar cruising the
shallows. Dozens of dragonflies that all but disappeared when the pond was dry, floated
overhead.
Resilience is the hallmark of Texas wildlife and rangelands. The instant ecosystem that
blossomed in my pond is a perfect example of that resilience. So are pastures ravaged
by drought or wildfire that turn lush with the first rainfall. And what better example of
resilience is there than quail populations that swing from scarcely a bird in the pasture,
to a covey in every motte?
Resilience is also hallmark of Institute graduate students. They learn the facts of ecology
and the art of wildlife management, but they also learn how to adapt when satellite
transmitters fail, or floods or fires disrupt their study. They struggle to understand
complex mathematics, animal physiology, and geographic information systems. They
may fail tests and stumble when defending their research. Through this all, they persist,
learn, and grow. They come through the hard times of their graduate career strong,
resilient, and smiling.
The resilience of Institute faculty is inspiring. These outstanding scientists may fail to
be awarded a long-sought grant. They may become frustrated with bureaucracy, and
long for the carefree days as a graduate student when they could spend their time in the
field instead of the office. There are days when they are drained but they put on a smile,
step to the front of the class, and share their knowledge and expertise with a room full
of students.

CKWRI scientists and students are outstanding, not because their jobs are easy, but because they overcome the dif
times and persist until they are successful. Articles in this Current Research Report are testament to their ter
because every student, every project, and every scientist had to be resilient to succeed. Just like the wildlife they s
they find ways to adapt and push through the hard times, then blossom and celebrate when the pieces come tog(
Enjoy their successes in these pages.

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David Hewitt
Leroy G. Denman, Jr. Endowed Director of Wildlife Research

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