Laguna Atascosa

Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge

Laguna Atascosa is a National Wildlife Refuge located on the coast of far South Texas. Established in 1946, the refuge encompasses more than 97,000 acres of freshwater wetlands, coastal prairies, mudflats, and beaches - a convergence of temperate, subtropical, coastal, and Chihuahuan desert habitats. The refuge includes the more recently acquired Bahia Grande Unit and the South Padre Island Unit.

Sunset along Scum Pond Trail of Laguna Atascosa

It is a designated Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN) which, along with Rancho Rincón de Anacahuitas in Mexico, hosts at least 100,000 shorebirds annually. Within the National Wildlife Refuge System, Laguna Atascosa has the most recorded species of birds. In addition, it hosts the largest population of ocelots within the United States with a current estimate of 50 ocelots. Other unique species within Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge include the Aplomado Falcon, Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle, and the Redhead Duck, part of the reason for its original establishment. More common species that can be found at the refuge include the Texas Horned Lizard, Couch's Kingbird, Plain Chachalaca, American Alligator, Brown Pelican, and the exotic Nilgai. With such a variety of species present and many endangered, the refuge is a center for conversation and recovery efforts for many.