Texas Game Wardens have apprehended a local hunting outfitter and two other individuals for engaging in illegal nilgai hunts on private property in Port Mansfield, Texas. The suspects are accused of utilizing airboats and thermal optics to lead clients in a sophisticated operation aimed at profiting from the unlawful activity.
According to a press release from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the individuals are facing charges of hunting exotic animals without the consent of the landowners, theft of exotic livestock, and participation in organized criminal activity. This follows an extensive investigation that spanned nearly a year and was conducted by Texas Game Wardens in the Rio Grande Valley area. To address the organized criminal aspect of the case, warrants were executed on multiple properties with the assistance of the Texas Game Warden Rural Operations Group and Homeland Security Investigations.
The investigation into this case is still ongoing, and further details are not currently available. Nilgai, which originate from India and Pakistan, were brought to Texas in the 1920s.