Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge |
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IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
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 Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge
Location in Texas
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| Location | Hidalgo County, Texas, United States |
| Nearest city | Alamo, Texas |
| Area | 2,088 acres (845 ha) |
| Established | 1943 |
| Governing body | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Website | Santa Ana National Wildlife Service |
| Designated: | 1966 |
The Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge is a special protected area in South Texas. It covers about 2,088 acres (around 8.45 square kilometers) of land. This refuge is located along the Rio Grande river, near the town of Alamo in Hidalgo County.
This wildlife refuge was created in 1943. Its main goal was to protect migratory birds. These are birds that travel long distances each year. The refuge is in a unique spot where different types of climates and habitats meet. You can find subtropical wetlands, parts of the Chihuahuan Desert, areas like the Gulf Coast, and even features of the Great Plains. Because it's right by the river, it's a famous place for birdwatching.
Contents
Why is Santa Ana Refuge Important?
The Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge is very important for several reasons. It protects many different kinds of plants and animals. It's a key stop for birds traveling between North and South America. The refuge also helps keep the natural environment healthy in the Lower Rio Grande Valley.
Animals Living in the Refuge
The refuge is home to many amazing animals. Some of the most special ones are two types of wild cats. These are the Texas ocelot and the Gulf Coast jaguarundi. Both of these cats are very rare and need protection.
Protecting Rare Wild Cats
The Texas ocelot and the Gulf Coast jaguarundi are listed as endangered. This means there are not many of them left in the wild. Laws like the Endangered Species Act of 1973 help protect them. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species also helps control trade of these animals. This makes sure they are not hunted or sold illegally.
Even though a group called the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) doesn't call them endangered worldwide, they know these cats are very rare in this area. The refuge helps give them a safe place to live and raise their young.
Birds of the Refuge
More than 397 different kinds of birds have been seen at Santa Ana. Many of these birds are just passing through. They are on their long journeys to or from Central and South America.
Some of the birds you might see include:
- Black-bellied whistling-duck
- Fulvous whistling-duck
- Mottled duck
- Blue-winged teal
- Green-winged teal
- Cinnamon teal
- Least grebe
- Anhinga
- Tricolored heron
- White ibis
- Lesser yellowlegs
- Long-billed dowitcher
- Least tern
The refuge is also a great place to see birds of prey. These are birds that hunt other animals. Some migratory birds of prey found here are Osprey, Broad-winged hawk, Northern harrier, and Peregrine falcon. Sometimes, rare birds like the Hook-billed kite and gray hawk visit. These special birds attract birdwatchers from all over the world.
Over 35 types of New World warblers have been spotted here too. These small, colorful birds include the Golden-winged warbler, Magnolia warbler, Northern parula, Tropical parula, American redstart, Palm warbler, and Yellow-breasted chat.
Butterflies of the Refuge
Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge is a paradise for butterflies! It is home to almost half of all the butterfly species found in the entire United States. More than 300 different kinds of butterflies have been seen here. On a really good day, you might even spot as many as 65 different species at once! This makes the refuge a very important place for butterfly research and enjoyment.
Images for kids
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The Old Cemetery on the grounds of the refuge predates the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo
