Pearl River Wildlife Management Area facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pearl River Wildlife Management Area |
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| Pearl River WMA | |
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IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape)
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 Pearl River Wildlife Management Area
Location in Louisiana
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| Location | St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana |
| Area | 35,619 acres (144.14 km2) |
| Governing body | Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries |
The Pearl River Wildlife Management Area, also known as Pearl River WMA, is a huge natural area in Louisiana. It covers about 35,619 acres (that's over 55 square miles!) near Slidell in St. Tammany Parish. This special place is protected and managed by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF). It's a fantastic spot for wildlife to live safely and for people to enjoy nature.
Contents
Where is Pearl River WMA Located?
Pearl River WMA is found about six miles east of Slidell. It's also just one mile from the town of Pearl River.
This wildlife area has natural borders:
- To the north, it touches the Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge.
- The eastern side is next to the Pearl River and the border with Mississippi.
- The southern edge includes Little Lake Pass, West Middle River, North Pass, and the east mouth of the Old Pearl River.
- The western border is the Old Pearl River.
Working Together to Protect the Pearl River
In 2002, a group called the Lower Pearl Partnership was created. It brought together different organizations from Louisiana and Mississippi. These included:
- The Nature Conservancy (both Louisiana and Mississippi chapters)
- The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality
- The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality
Their main goal was to work together to "restore, preserve, and protect" the Pearl River and its surrounding areas. This means they wanted to make sure the river stays healthy and clean for all the plants and animals that live there. The Nature Conservancy even helped buy 22,765 acres of land. This land connected the Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge to the Pearl River WMA, creating an even bigger protected space.
Amazing Wildlife in Pearl River WMA
The Pearl River basin and the Pearl River WMA are home to many different animals. Some of these animals are very special because they are on the threatened or endangered species list. This means their populations are very low, and they need protection to survive. The Endangered Species Act of 1973 helps protect these animals.
Threatened and Endangered Animals
Here are some of the rare animals you might find:
- Ringed Map Turtle (Graptemys oculifera): This turtle was listed as threatened in 1986. It's only found in the Pearl River basin!
- Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys temminckii): This large turtle was listed as threatened in 2006.
- Pearl River Map Turtle (Graptemys gibbonsi): For a long time, people thought this was the same as another turtle. But in 2010, scientists found it was a unique species found only in the Pearl River basin.
- Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin pileata): This turtle is considered a "species of concern," meaning it needs careful watching.
- Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus): In 2005, 27 pairs of these beautiful birds were seen in the area. While not federally protected, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service sees them as a "Species-at-Risk."
- Gulf Sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi): This large fish was listed in 1991.
- Inflated Heelsplitter Mussel (Potamilus inflatus): This unique mussel was listed in 2006.
- Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus): America's national bird, once endangered, is now making a comeback!
- Dusky Gopher Frog (Rana capito sevosa or Lithobates sevosus): A very rare frog that needs special habitats.
- Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus): A land tortoise that digs long burrows.
- Louisiana Black Bear (Ursus americanus luteolus): A special subspecies of black bear found in Louisiana.
Other Animals You Might See
Many other animals also call Pearl River WMA home, including:
- White-tailed deer
- Rabbit
- Squirrel
- Wild turkey (sometimes there are special lottery hunts for them)
- Waterfowl (like ducks and geese)
- Snipe
- Woodcock
Animals that are trapped in the area include:
Endangered Plants in the Area
Just like animals, some plants also need protection.
- Louisiana Quillwort (Isoetes louisianensis): This unique plant was listed as an endangered species in 1992. It's found in Washington and St. Tammany parishes. Scientists have found it in several creeks and bayous within the Pearl River basin, including the Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge and the Pearl River WMA.
