About Us
Desecheo NWR is an island of approximately 360 acres (146 hectares) in the Mona Passage off the west coast of Puerto Rico, approximately 13 miles (21 kilometers) west of Punta Higüero. Although it is a relatively small island, the terrain is mountainous and rugged. The highest point on the Island is 683 feet (208 meters) above sea level. The habitat on the island is predominately semi-deciduous dry forest with areas of grassland. Because of the porosity of the soils and the steep topography, there is no permanent fresh water on Desecheo NWR. The introduction of nonnative species such as goats, monkeys, and rats, and human uses of the island have had a substantial impact on the habitat and wildlife of Desecheo NWR.
El Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre de Desecheo es una isla con aproximadamente 360 acres (146 hectáreas) localizada en el paso de la Mona al oeste de la costa de Puerto Rico y a 13 millas (21 kilómetros) al oeste de Punta Higüero. Aunque la isla es pequeña, el terreno es montañoso y rocoso. El punto más alto de la isla está a 683 pies (208 metros) sobre el nivel del mar. El hábitat en la isla es predominantemente bosque seco semi-deciduo con áreas de pastizal. Debido a la porosidad de los suelos y la topografía escarpada, no hay agua dulce permanente en Desecheo. La introducción de las especies no nativas como cabras, monos y ratas, y los usos humanos a la isla han tenido un impacto en el hábitat y en la vida silvestre del Refugio.
Our History
When the United States entered World War II, the island was transferred back to the United States Government for military practice until 1952. Between 1952 and 1964, the island was used for survival training by the U.S. Air Force. In July 1966, management jurisdiction over Desecheo was acquired by the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, and the island became a facility for raising rhesus macaques for medical investigations. In December 1976, administration of Desecheo was transferred to the Service and it received the designation of anational wildlife refugenational wildlife refuge
A national wildlife refuge is typically a contiguous area of land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.
Learn more about national wildlife refuge.
Cuando EEUU entró a la Segunda Guerra Mundial, la isla se transfirió al Gobierno de los EEUU para prácticas militares hasta 1952. Entre 1952 y 1964, la isla se utilizó para entrenamiento de supervivencia por la Fuerza Aérea de los EEUU. En julio del 1966, la jurisdicción administrativa se transfirió al Departamento de Salud, Educación y Bienestar para criar monos rhesus para investigaciones médicas. En diciembre de 1976, la isla de Desecheo se transfirió al Servicio Federal de Pesca y Vida Silvestre para ser manejada como un Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre.
Other Facilities in this Complex
Desecheo National Wildlife Refuge is one of many refuges that make up the Caribbean Islands National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Each refuge in the complex plays vital role to conserving our unique, endemic species and resources in the Caribbean.
