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San Andres National Wildlife Refuge
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Golden Eagle (Aquila chryrsaetos) in flight on the Refuge. Photo taken by L. Smythe, Desert National Wildlife Refuge Wildlife Biologist
Golden eagle (Aquila chryrsaetos) in flight on the Refuge. Photo taken by L. Smythe, USFWS
San Andres Wildlife Refuge's Ongoing Research
Refuge staff and interested university researchers conduct numerous projects on the Refuge. These studies range from long-term interagency projects to seasonal, specific investigations.

Research projects currently being conducted on the Refuge include: a large multi-year interagency project looking at Chronic Wasting Disease in desert mule deer. This project involves radiocollaring as many as 80 deer and tracking their movements and interactions throughout the San Andres and Organ Mountains. Valuable information is being gathered about the mule deer populations and their habitats and the effects of chronic wasting disease on the herd.

Other research projects on the Refuge include a study of nutrient recycling from prescribed burning and long term vegetation studies. These studies are to determine vegetation change over time, the relationship of fire to that vegetation change, and the potential effects of climate change.
Desert mule deer doe-Odocoileus hemionus. Photo taken by G. Powers, Refuge Volunteer
Desert mule deer does-Odocoileus hemionus. Photo Credit: G. Powers, USFWS
The first documented sighting of a Painted Redstart-Myioborus pictus, on the Refuge occurred April 12, 2011 by the Refuge' Wildlife Biologist. The photo to the right, is a male Painted Redstart seen on the Refuge. This observation is a new record for the Refuge and White Sands Missile Range.
Black bear (Ursus americanus) seen on the Refuge for the first time since the Refuge's establishment in 1941. Photo taken by M. Weisenberger, Refuge Wildlife Biologist
Black bear (Ursus americanus) seen on the Refuge for the first time since the Refuge's establishment in 1941. Photo taken by M. Weisenberger, Refuge Wildlife Biologist
Post prescribed burn recovery. Photo taken by M. Weisenberger, Refuge Wildlife Biologist
Post prescribed burn recovery. Photo Credit: M. Weisenberger, USFWS
Post prescribed burn recovery in the foreground. Photo taken by M. Weisenberger, Refuge Wildlife Biologist
Post prescribed burn recovery. Photo Credit: M. Weisenberger, USFWS
Icicles during January 2013 snowfall. Photo taken by K. Cobble, Refuge Manager
Icicles during January 2013 snowfall. Photo Credit: K. Cobble, USFWS
Male Painted Redstart - Myioborus pictus. First documented sighting of species on the Refuge, April 12, 2011. Photo taken by M. Weisenberger, Refuge Wildlife Biologist
Painted Redstart-Myioborus pictus. Credit: M. Weisenberger, USFWS
Refuge Quick Grabs New Mexico National Refuges and Hatcheries San Andres National Wildlife Refuge Profile San Andres National Wildlife Refuge Passport Book Stamp. This image has not been formatted for an accessibility reader. San Andres National Wildlife Refuge Brochure Images of San Andres National Wildlife Refuge aerial views Free Adobe Reader download
Last updated: April 2, 2013
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