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Fort Snelling, MN 55111-4056Wildlife
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
