Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge |
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IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
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 Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge
Location in the United States
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| Location | Ventura County, California |
| Nearest city | Fillmore |
| Area | 2,471-acre (10.00 km2) |
| Established | 1974 |
| Governing body | United States Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Website | Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge |
The Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge is a special place in Ventura County, California. It's located in the Topatopa Mountains. This refuge was created in 1974 to help protect the amazing California condor. It also protects the places where condors live and other wild animals.
The refuge is next to the Los Padres National Forest and the Sespe Condor Sanctuary. It covers about 2,471 acres (10.00 km2) of wild, mountainous land.
Contents
What is the Refuge?
The Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge is a protected area. It's managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Its main goal is to keep the endangered California condor safe.
The refuge has different types of nature areas. These include grassy fields and groves of oak and California black walnut trees. There are also bushy areas called chaparral on the steep slopes. You can also find natural water springs and riparian (riverbank) habitats. There is even a freshwater marsh. The black walnut groves here are very special. They are even listed in California's Natural Heritage Database.
Home to Amazing Animals and Plants
This refuge is home to many different kinds of wildlife. More than 130 types of birds, mammals, and reptiles live here. Some of these animals include the southwestern pond turtle (which is a special animal in California). You can also find black bears, bobcats, mule deer, golden eagles, and California tree frogs.
Besides animals, more than 200 kinds of plants grow in the refuge. This makes it a very rich and diverse natural area.
Protecting the California Condor
The Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge is super important for the California Condor Recovery Program. It gives condors safe places to find food and rest. The refuge also teaches people about condors. They share information with people all over the world.
The California condor is an endangered bird. This means there are not many left in the world. In July 2014, there were 437 condors in total. Some lived in the wild, and others were in special care. About 68 free-flying condors in Southern California are looked after by the US Fish & Wildlife Service.
Visiting the Refuge
To keep the condors safe, the refuge is closed to visitors. This helps the condors live freely again without being disturbed. The roads leading to the refuge go through private land. This means you can't just drive in.
But don't worry! The U.S. Forest Service has two special spots. You can watch for condors from there in the Los Padres National Forest. These observation points let you see the condors from a distance.
Images for kids
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A sign for the Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge.
