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Wildlife
Agassiz National
Wildlife Refuge provides a haven for many wildlife species.
As many as 280 species of birds use the refuge; half which
nest on the refuge. Forty-nine species of mammals, 12 species
of amphibians and 9 species of reptiles also call Agassiz
home.
The refuge supports
17 species of breeding ducks as well as giant Canada geese.
In an average year 7,500 pairs of ducks and 250 pairs of
Canada geese nest at Agassiz. The diversity of wetland and
upland habitat provides excellent protection for ducklings,
goslings and molting waterfowl.
Annual migrations
bring peak numbers of waterfowl in May and October. Fall duck
numbers can be as high as 100,000 and Canada geese 25,000.
The Eastern Prairie population of Canada geese is the most
abundant goose subspecies that migrates through Agassiz.
Colonial nesting
birds include large colonies that average 25,000 nesting
pairs of Franklin's gulls, 50-to-150 nesting pairs of eared
grebes and 500 nesting pairs of black-crowned night herons.
Smaller colonies of western grebes, great blue herons and
double-crested cormorants also nest here.
For many years the
average moose population on the refuge and adjoining state
wildlife management areas was 250. In 1993 the population
declined sharply for unknown reasons; since1998 the
population has slowly increased from its low of 50 animals.
Deer are usually
abundant and have attained a peak population of 3,000
animals. However, severe winters in 1995-96 and 1996-97
reduced the herd to a record low of 430 animals.
Agassiz also has two
resident packs of eastern gray wolves. These wolves roam the
entire area during the winter months, but favor the grassland
and forestland on the east and south sides during the rest of
the year.
In 1992, after a
30-year absence, bald eagles began renesting on the refuge.
Four pairs nested in 1999.
View Refuge Mammal
List
View Refuge Bird
List
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