Invasive Animals
Certain animals within the Brazos River basin are trouble.
These invasives destroy ecosystems, steal water, cause harm to native species, damage infrastructure and the environment, and hinder recreation.
Besides zebra mussels, the most common invasive animals in the Brazos River basin are feral hogs and nutria.
Invasive species, which can be plants or animals, are not native to a particular area and can cause economic and ecological damage and impact human health. When non-native species are introduced, they have few natural predators, competitors, or diseases that control their populations.
The Brazos River Authority’s Environmental Services Department regularly monitors different animals as a way of tracking the health of the Brazos River basin ecosystem. When the results of this monitoring begin to show changes, the BRA, along with state and federal partners, work together to identify the cause of changes and make improvements that can aid the continued health and quality of the basin’s water supply.
Learn more about the invasive animals below: