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Photo of a black and white bird in two hands with a cavity tree in the background.
Louisiana Gives Oklahoma’s Endangered Woodpecker Population a Boost

Twelve red-cockaded woodpeckers were recently relocated to Oklahoma’s shortleaf pine forest from a donor population in Louisiana.

Nov 16, 2023

Whooping Crane. Photo by USDA
Endangered Whooping Cranes to Move through Oklahoma

Whooping cranes to make 2,500-mile migration with stops in Oklahoma.

Oct 23, 2023

The underside of a pale crayfish with eggs under the tail.
Rare Oklahoma Crayfish Hatched at Texas Zoo

The Center for Conservation and Research – San Antonio Zoo has successfully hatched 47 Oklahoma cave crayfish in a lab setting.

Sep 18, 2023

A stocky tan and brown bird performs a mating display on the prairie.
List of Threatened and Endangered Species Gets Updates in 2023

We discuss the most recent federal listings of threatened and endangered species with the Wildlife Department’s endangered species biologist.

Apr 3, 2023

Biologists use fire to improve habitat for the federally endangered red-cockaded woodpecker.
Renewal Emerges Like Phoenix After Flames

Biologists use prescribed fire to improve habitat for the federally endangered red-cockaded woodpecker.

Mar 16, 2022

Biologist Clay Barnes with camera monitoring Red-cockaded woodpecker at the McCurtain County Wilderness Area.
Woodpeckers of the Wilderness Area: Spring Cavity Checks

Each spring, biologists monitor nest cavities of endangered red-cockaded woodpeckers at the McCurtain County Wilderness Area.

Aug 26, 2018

Biologist on airboat with binoculars.
Surveying Oklahoma’s Rivers for Endangered Least Terns

Biologists are using an airboat to cruise two Oklahoma rivers as they check in on nesting interior least terns.

Jul 26, 2018

Red-cockaded woodpecker eggs in nest.
Woodpeckers of the Wilderness Area: The Next Generation Has Hatched

Wildlife Department biologist Clay Barnes checks in on an endangered woodpeckers living on the McCurtain County Wilderness Area.

May 24, 2018

Biologist scaling tree at McCurtain County Wilderness Area.
Biologist Spends Career Helping Endangered Woodpecker

After 35 years as a biologist, the last 25 of which have been spent managing an endangered woodpecker, John Skeen retires.

Aug 23, 2017

A landscape view of the Little River taken after the leaves have dropped from the trees
Managing for Mussels

The Wildlife Department works with many partners to enhance endangered populations of the Ouachita rock pocketbook mussel in southeastern Oklahoma.

Jan 4, 2016