The Key Deer & The Screwworm

As concerns grow over the northward movement of the New World screwworm, one of the most important lessons comes from an outbreak that occurred nearly a decade ago in the Florida Keys. In 2016, the flesh-eating parasite struck the endangered Key deer, threatening one of America's most unique wildlife populations. What followed was a remarkable response involving wildlife biologists, veterinarians, entomologists, and conservation agencies working together to stop the outbreak before it spread further. The outbreak ultimately killed roughly 15% of the Key deer population, but it was successfully contained and eradicated through an intensive, coordinated effort. In this episode of Dark Outdoors, host Chester Moore talks with Dr. Roel Lopez, Director of the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute and one of the scientists who worked on the Key deer screwworm response. Dr. Lopez shares what happened on the ground during the crisis, how researchers monitored the endangered deer herd, what was learned from the outbreak, and why those lessons remain relevant as wildlife and livestock managers prepare for today's screwworm challenges. This is the story of an endangered deer, a devastating parasite, and a conservation effort that offers valuable insight into one of the most important wildlife health issues facing North America today.