A 12-foot alligator garfish made an amazing journey up the Trinity River, according to a popular social media image, is now popular online.
I contacted the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s ( TPWD ) media branch directly to verify the claims.
The agency’s media company consulted with Inland Fisheries personnel regarding the photo and the allegations that were made, according to TPWD media consultant Kirk McDonnell.
My initial inquiry was about whether there was an eel garfish at TPWD that had been satellite-tagged.
The article employs the word “pinged,” which is frequently used to describe aquatic creatures that have been satellite-trained.
A “ping” in habitat monitoring usually refers to a site message sent from a satellite tag, especially one that became well-known as a result of studies conducted by organizations like OCEARCH, Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, and the Harte Institute’s Fin Finder program.
” No, the Department is not satellite-tagged by any alligators. Over the past 15 years, there have been some sound label studies, but always satellite tags.
