Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
Map showing the location of Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge
Map showing the location of Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge
Map of Texas
LocationCameron / Willacy counties, Texas, United States
Nearest cityHarlingen, Texas
Coordinates26°17′01″N 97°23′06″W / 26.28361°N 97.38500°W / 26.28361; -97.38500
Area98,000 acres (400 km2)[1]
Established29 March 1946[1]
Visitors+200,000 (in 2003)
Governing bodyUnited States Fish and Wildlife Service
WebsiteLaguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge
Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) with tracking caller, Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, Texas

Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge is the largest protected area of natural habitat left in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. The 98,000-acre (400 km2) refuge is located almost entirely in Cameron County, Texas (near Harlingen), although a very small part of its northernmost point extends into southern Willacy County.[2]

Fauna

The Peregrine Fund began reintroducing captive-bred northern aplomado falcons (Falco femoralis septentrionalis) to the refuge in 1985, which had been nearly extirpated from the Southwestern United States; today, it is home to 26 pairs. Nine other endangered or threatened species inhabit the refuge, such as the Texas ocelot (Leopardus pardalis albescens) and (formerly) the Gulf Coast jaguarundi (Herpailurus yagouaroundi), rare wild cats.[3] Programs at the refuge include vegetation and wetland restoration.[4]

Spanish Dagger (Yucca treculeana) at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, Cameron County, Texas, USA (12 April 2016)

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Texas GEMS - Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge (LANWR)". Texas Gulf Ecological Management Sites. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. 2003-05-07. Archived from the original on 2010-01-25. Retrieved 2009-12-29.
  2. ↑ "Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge | Map". U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Retrieved 2022-04-11.
  3. ↑ "Endangered Species". Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge. United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Retrieved 2009-12-29.
  4. ↑ "Management". Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge. United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Retrieved 2009-12-29.

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