TYLER, Texas — The chirps of young Attwater's prairie-chicken often fills behind the scenes at the Caldwell Zoo in Tyler.
These Texas natives are some of the most endangered birds in North America. The Attwater's prairie-chicken has been listed as endangered 1967, according to Texas Parks and Wildlife.
Habitat loss, overhunting and fire ants have dropped their population size from "millions to just inhabiting two small areas," said Nicole Moore, Caldwell Zoo supervisor of birds. Moore also noted that there are only two areas in the U.S. where the Attwater's prairie-chicken can still be found: Goliad County and the Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge.
The Caldwell Zoo is one of only four programs of its kind in the world. Their goal is to help preserve the species through breeding. They partner with U.S Fish and Wildlife to release the adult birds in refuges along the Gulf Coast.
"Between us and the other facilities that are part of the program, we release over 400 birds each year," Moore said.
For more behind-the-scenes zoo content, watch CBS19 on Fridays during Morning Y'all for the weekly segment, Exploring the Caldwell Zoo.