Much of the rocky terrain is covered by a native forest adapted to a dry climate. Large gumbo limbo trees are common in interior valleys while a variety of cactus species, including the endangered higo chumbo (Harrisia portoricensis), form a part of the thorny scrub vegetation covering the steep coastal slopes.

Refuge Facts

• Established: 1976.
• Acres: 360.
• Location: the island is located 14 miles from the west coast of Puerto Rico.
• Administered under Caribbean Islands NWR office.

Natural History

• Desecheo island has seen many custodians over the years, including Spain, Puerto Rico, the U.S. military (bombing and survival training), N.I.H. (introduced rhesus monkeys for medical research), and the Fish and Wildlife Service.
• At one time, the largest brown booby nesting colony in the world; today, no seabird nesting takes place on the island.
• The native forest (which includes the endangered higo chumbo cactus) has been severely degraded by introduced rats, goats, and monkeys.

Refuge Objectives

• To restore and protect historic seabird colonies and natural island ecosystems.

Management Tools

• Law enforcement.
• Feral animal control.
• Bird and plant surveys.