Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge

The refuge spans 1,836 acres of rolling hills, grasslands, mangroves, and subtropical dry forests along the southwestern coast of Puerto Rico.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service acquired 587 acres from the Central Intelligence Agency in 1974, which operated the Caribbean Bureau of Foreign Broadcast Service.

Research teams document and monitor 245 plant species and 145 bird species, including the endangered yellow-shouldered blackbird, known locally as mariquita de Puerto Rico.

Visitors access the refuge through Road 301 at Kilometer 5.1 in Corozo Ward, where three hiking trails lead through different ecosystems.

The salt flats maintain a dual purpose system, combining commercial salt harvesting operations with water level management for shorebird habitats.

Location: Puerto Rico

Inception: 1974

Website: https://fws.gov/refuge/cabo_rojo

GPS coordinates: 17.97917,-67.16833

Latest update: March 5, 2025 21:36