Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, Wilderness refuge in southwestern Arizona, United States
Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge is a protected desert area in southwestern Arizona that covers vast stretches of Sonoran Desert with rugged mountains and dry valleys. The terrain supports a wide range of desert wildlife, including bighorn sheep, coyotes, and hundreds of bird and reptile species adapted to harsh conditions.
The refuge was established in 1939 following a campaign by the Boy Scouts of America to protect desert bighorn sheep populations. This early conservation effort reflected a growing movement to preserve wild desert landscapes and the animals that depend on them.
The name Cabeza Prieta translates to 'dark head' in Spanish, referring to the distinctive mountains in the northwestern section of the refuge.
Access requires permission, and four-wheel-drive vehicles are necessary for navigating unpaved roads since no facilities operate inside the refuge. Visitors should prepare well and bring sturdy supplies, as conditions can be harsh and remote.
The refuge borders a major biosphere reserve in Mexico, creating a continuous conservation zone that allows wildlife to move across international boundaries. This partnership between two countries demonstrates how desert protection works on both sides of the border.
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