Abbott on hand for refuge renaming ceremony
Office of the Texas Governor. The new sign for the Jocelyn Nungaray Wildlife Refuge is unveiled.
Office of the Texas Governor. Alexis Nungaray, Jocelyn Nungaray's mother, hugs Gov. Greg Abbott following the unveiling of the new sign for the Jocelyn Nungaray Wildlife Refuge.
Office of the Texas Governor. Gov. Greg Abbott talks about Jocelyn Nungaray’s love for animals and wildlife at the renaming ceremony for the Jocelyn Nungaray Wildlife Refuge.
ANAHUAC— Gov. Greg Abbott visited the Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge today for a renaming ceremony.
The refuge, formerly known as the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge, was officially renamed on March 5 following an executive order by President Donald Trump.
“It’s honor to be here today to rename this wildlife refuge after Jocelyn Nungaray,” Abbott said. “Jocelyn loved animals, and this land is full of them. A refuge from the dangers of the modern world, where they can prosper undisturbed and where we can enjoy them in their natural habitat.”
The name honors Jocelyn Nungaray, a 12-year-old murdered by two Venezuelan nationals with ties to Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan criminal organization.
Johan Jose Rangel Martinez, 22, and Franklin Jose Pena Ramos, 26, were charged with capital murder in the killing of Nungaray, according to the Associated Press.
“Thanks again to President Trump and Secretary Burgum for honoring Jocelyn with this sanctuary,” Abbott said. “May Jocelyn's family find peace in the tranquility of the Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge, a lasting tribute to a beautiful young soul taken from us too soon.”
Abbott was joined by U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Acting Director Paul Souza, former Complex Manager of the Texas Chenier Plain Refuge Tim Cooper, Wildlife Refuge Manager Kristin Fritz-Grammond and Alexis Nungaray, Jocelyn Nungaray's mother.
During Trump’s address to the joint session of Congress, where he announced the executive order, he talked of Nungaray and her love for animals.
“One thing I learned about Jocelyn is that she loved animals so much. She loved nature,” Trump said.
During the 2025 State of the State Address, as a direct response to the murder of Nungaray, Abbott demanded legislation imposing the death penalty on anyone convicted of murdering a child.
Also during the address, Abbott declared Tren de Aragua a foreign terrorist organization.