Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge
Encyclopedia
The 30,843 acre Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge is part of the United States
National Wildlife Refuge
System, located on the west coast of Florida
, about seventy miles (100 km) north of St. Petersburg
. It is famous as the southern wintering site for the re-introduced eastern population of Whooping Crane
s.
The Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge Complex consists of portions of the Chassahowitzka River
and Crystal River
, as well as what are known as the Tampa Bay Refuges: Egmont Key
, Passage Key
and Pinellas
.
The Chassahowitzka Wilderness Area is part of the refuge, and consists of 23,578.93 acres (95 km²) or 76.4% of its total area. Only a portion in the northeast is not designated as Wilderness.
In 2001, the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership raised Whooping Crane
(Grus americana) chicks in Wisconsin
's Necedah National Wildlife Refuge
then guided them to the Chassahowitzka NWR for the winter. Despite severe mortality from hurricanes in 2007, the re-introduction has been successful and by 2010 there were up to 105 migrating birds established in the eastern United States for the first time in over 100 years.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
National Wildlife Refuge
National Wildlife Refuge
National Wildlife Refuge is a designation for certain protected areas of the United States managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The National Wildlife Refuge System is the world's premiere system of public lands and waters set aside to conserve America's fish, wildlife and plants...
System, located on the west coast of Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, about seventy miles (100 km) north of St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg, Florida
St. Petersburg is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. It is known as a vacation destination for both American and foreign tourists. As of 2008, the population estimate by the U.S. Census Bureau is 245,314, making St...
. It is famous as the southern wintering site for the re-introduced eastern population of Whooping Crane
Whooping Crane
The whooping crane , the tallest North American bird, is an endangered crane species named for its whooping sound. Along with the Sandhill Crane, it is one of only two crane species found in North America. The whooping crane's lifespan is estimated to be 22 to 24 years in the wild...
s.
The Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge Complex consists of portions of the Chassahowitzka River
Chassahowitzka River
The Chassahowitzka River is a pristine spring-fed river located in southwestern Citrus County, Florida. The river is home to hundreds of species of birds including the Bald Eagle, and is a common refuge for the West Indian Manatee. In 1941, approximately of its saltwater creeks, freshwater...
and Crystal River
Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge
The Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge is part of the United States National Wildlife Refuge System, located in Kings Bay, in the town of Crystal River, and consists of 20 islands and several small parcels of land. The refuge was established in 1983, to protect the West Indian Manatee...
, as well as what are known as the Tampa Bay Refuges: Egmont Key
Egmont Key State Park
Egmont Key State Park is a Florida State Park located on Egmont Key, at the mouth of Tampa Bay, in the state of Florida, United States. It lies southwest of Fort DeSoto Park. It can only be reached by boat or ferry. The Egmont Key Lighthouse and the ruins of Fort Dade, a Spanish-American War era...
, Passage Key
Passage Key National Wildlife Refuge
The Passage Key National Wildlife Refuge is part of the United States National Wildlife Refuge System, located offshore from St. Petersburg. The refuge was established in 1905...
and Pinellas
Pinellas National Wildlife Refuge
The Pinellas National Wildlife Refuge is part of the United States National Wildlife Refuge System, located off shore from mainland St. Petersburg, Florida, and only accessible by boat. The refuge was established in 1951, to act as a breeding ground for colonial bird species. Islands within the...
.
The Chassahowitzka Wilderness Area is part of the refuge, and consists of 23,578.93 acres (95 km²) or 76.4% of its total area. Only a portion in the northeast is not designated as Wilderness.
In 2001, the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership raised Whooping Crane
Whooping Crane
The whooping crane , the tallest North American bird, is an endangered crane species named for its whooping sound. Along with the Sandhill Crane, it is one of only two crane species found in North America. The whooping crane's lifespan is estimated to be 22 to 24 years in the wild...
(Grus americana) chicks in Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
's Necedah National Wildlife Refuge
Necedah National Wildlife Refuge
Necedah National Wildlife Refuge is a National Wildlife Refuge located in northern Juneau County, Wisconsin near the village of Necedah. It was established in 1939 and is famous as the northern nesting site for reintroduction of an eastern United States population of the endangered Whooping Crane...
then guided them to the Chassahowitzka NWR for the winter. Despite severe mortality from hurricanes in 2007, the re-introduction has been successful and by 2010 there were up to 105 migrating birds established in the eastern United States for the first time in over 100 years.
External links
- Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge Official site
- Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge at Friends of Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge Complex
- Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge at Gorp.com
- Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge at National Wildlife Refuge Association