Everything about The Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge totally explained
The
Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge is located in the
Sonoran Desert in southwestern
Arizona in the
United States. The refuge, established in 1939 to protect
Desert Bighorn Sheep, is located along of the
U.S.-Mexican border, and covers 860,010 acres (3,480 km²) — larger than the land area of the state of
Rhode Island. 803,418 acres (3,251 km²) were preserved in 1990 as the
Cabeza Prieta Refuge Wilderness. The refuge may be temporarily closed for training exercises on the
Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range. It is the third largest national wildlife refuge in the lower 48 states.
Spanish for "dark head," the refuge's name comes from a mountain in its northwest corner.
Featured species include
History
In 1936, the
Arizona boy scouts mounted a state-wide campaign to save the Bighorn Sheep, leading to the creation of Cabeza Prieta. The Scouts first became interested in the sheep through the efforts of Major
Frederick Russell Burnham, the noted conservationist who has been called the
Father of Scouting. Burnham observed that fewer than 150 of these sheep still lived in the Arizona mountains. He called George F. Miller, then scout executive of the boy scout council headquartered in
Phoenix, with a plan to save the sheep. Burnham put it this way:
I want you to save this majestic animal, not only because it's in danger of extinction, but of more importance, some day it might provide domestic sheep with a strain to save them from disaster at the hands of a yet unknown virus.
Several other prominent Arizonans joined the movement and a
save the bighorns poster contest was started in schools throughout the state. Burnham provided prizes and appeared in store windows from one end of Arizona to the other. The contest-winning bighorn emblem was made up into neckerchief slides for the 10,000 boy scouts, and talks and dramatizations were given at school assemblies and on radio. The
National Wildlife Federation, the
Issac Walton League, and the
Audubon Society also joined the effort.
On
January 18,
1939, over of Arizona by were set aside at Cabeza Prieta and at
Kofa National Wildlife Refuge and a civilian conservation corp side camp was setup to develop high mountain waterholes for the sheep. In 1941, Major Burnham delivered the dedication speech opening Cabeza Prieta. The
Desert Bighorn Sheep is now the official mascot for the Arizona Boy Scouts and the number of sheep in these parks have increased substantially.
Visiting
The most popular time to visit the refuge is between November and March. A free permit is required to visit the refuge; obtain at the refuge office in
Ajo, Arizona or by mail. A local organization gives evening presentations on the history, flora, and fauna during these months. Only lawfully-killed game may be taken from the area.
The historic Camino del Diablo 4WD road crosses the south part of the refuge, near the Mexican border.
Visitor safety
Visiting the refuge is a serious endeavor.
It is strongly recommended that visitors not attempt to drive through the refuge after a rain as the road, El Camino del Diablo, can be damaged when wet. Locals say it can be impassable after rains.
Four wheel drive is required to visit the central refuge and refuge staff say that bringing two spare tires, and/or other replacement parts, is necessary.
There are group trips, which can reduce the risks of visiting this remote area, several times a year.
The area has been used for aerial bombing. Do not disturb unexploded bombs (ordnance) found on the refuge.
Two gallons of water, sunscreen, all food, and toilet items must be brought with you. You must pack all non-biodegradable materials out when you leave.
Source
Brochure: "Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge," U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, March 2005.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge'.
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