Special Feature: Black Beauty |
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Black Beauty is the ninth in the year long video series celebrating the 75th Anniversary of Laguna Atascosa.
The Texas Indigo is our favorite snake and, while they do get pretty large, they are very beneficial. Watch for one crossing the road or taking a sip of water at the bird watching areas at the refuge. This protected species is nonvenomous and will eat rattlesnakes.
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Video credit: Richard Moore, Valley Nature Films, LLC.
If you would like to see more videos, head over to our website and check out the Gallery.
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Ocelots are...Everywhere? |
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Of course not! But fans of ocelots can be found all over the world. This popular cat CAN be found at Laguna Atascosa in the wild and, if you are really lucky, you might see one. Otherwise, the best chance to see one is at a zoo or wildlife center.
This month, our road trip to find ocelots takes us to the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens. Thank you to Colleen NIssen, Senior Cat Ambassador Trainer, for sharing the following article and these great images of their wonderful cats in action.
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While I wouldn’t say that the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens has A LOT of oce-LOTS, we do have some superstars that reside with us here in The Greenest Zoo in America ™.
If you are visiting our zoo, you’re likely to see the ocelots on display at the Night Hunters building. This amazing “nocturnal house” is home to 2 ocelots, both older ladies at 16 years old. Introducing our Exhibit Extraordinaires: we have Primavera (or Prima for short) and Sala. “Primavera is one of the sweetest cats I have ever met. She always wants attention and LOVES to paint! It is easily one of her favorite activities!” gushes her keeper, Michelle Kuchle. She continues with “Sala is almost the complete opposite - instead of attention she wants puzzles and things to do. She likes a challenge and hates paint.” Enrichment opportunities, like painting and feeder puzzles (as mentioned by Michelle), are an important way to optimize the quality of care we give to all the animals at the zoo.
We also have a few ocelots that live behind the scenes in our Cat Ambassador Program. Because it can be a full-time job to be an ambassador animal, we allow their living areas to be out of the public eye for proper rest and relaxation. But out of sight doesn’t mean out of mind! In our CAP program we have Sihil and Santos, and we can truly say they are living their best life here. Santos is a wild-child youngster at 7 years old who can be shy but has a big personality. He enjoys “acrobatics” in his area’s multileveled and platformed climbing structures. Ocelots have amazing climbing abilities and rotating back ankles to help grip and climb in every direction (including upside-down), so Santos takes every opportunity to test out his abilities. Sihil is a bit older, at 21, but don’t let her age fool you - she is full of life and spirit and even agility. She has been an ambassador for her species for her entire life, as she was born at CZBG. She was also a pioneer for scientific research! She was the first exotic cat to be born from a frozen embryo implanted into a surrogate mom. That is another amazing thing about ocelots in our zoo: in addition to having incredible individual ocelots, we also have our scientists at CREW working hard to learn and preserve wild ocelots as well. Dr. Bill Swanson, our Director of Animal Research at CREW, is leading the charge for ocelot research and an advocate for ocelots everywhere.
We are proud to be involved with ocelot care and research, and we are also thrilled to be able to share with other ocelot-lovers all over the world! These amazing creatures have captivated everyone that sees or encounters one. As Michelle Kuchle said, “The best part of our job is getting to know these animals and all their individual quirky personalities!” And I would have to agree wholeheartedly.
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Left, top: On hot days, staff find fun ways
for the animals to keep cool. This short
video shows Sihil enjoying the pool with
one of her toys.
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Left, lower: Enjoying one of her favorite activities, Primavera rolls around in her enrichment paint.
Below: Santos stalking "prey" during
enrichment time in the special play yard
at the Cincinnati Zoo.
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October 1 - Free Night Air Show over
Laguna Madre Bay
October 2 & 3 - Gates open 10 AM
Flying starts at 1 PM
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The RGV Wing of the Commemorative Air Force is based at the Cameron County Airport, between Laguna Atascosa NWR and Laguna Vista.
Come visit, shop the flea market, see some cool planes, watch daring aviators in action - something for everyone in a family friendly setting.
Friends will be there with special pricing on Laguna Atascosa merchandise!
For information and to buy tickets, click on this link: Airshow21.
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Walk for the Wild focuses on people spending time outside. We want people to get outdoors and move a distance of 5K in nature on behalf of national wildlife refuges starting on October 9, 2021 through October 16, 2021.
Humans spend 95% of their time indoors although a growing body of evidence shows that spending time in nature promotes mental and physical well-being. National wildlife refuges are some of the best places to spend time in nature helping both wildlife AND people thrive.
Preview: October Newsletter will have information for doing your 5K at Laguna Atascosa!
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HIKE IT BABY is a great resource for parents wanting to introduce their young children to the great outdoors. Visit their website for more information about hiking with little ones.
It's free and membership is optional!
There are ideas, trail tips, activity sheets, and great videos on their You Tube Channel.
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Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival
November 10-14, 2021 Harlingen Convention Center Harlingen, TX
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All the favorite events are back and some new activities have been added to the agenda. Registration is open.
There will be tours at Laguna Atascosa
and Bahia Grande. Friends will also have
a booth at the festival vendor show.
Check out the speakers, field trips, seminars, and more on their website:
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Save Texas Ocelots License Plate |
The last remaining ocelots in the United States are found only in Texas. You can help save these beautiful endangered cats and help spread the word about protecting Texas Ocelots by buying this specialty license plate for your vehicle for only $30.00 additional. Friends of Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge receives $22.00 from the sale of every Save Texas Ocelots license plate, 100% of which goes to Ocelot Conservation. |
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Become an Advocate Member
Advocate Membership is one way to support the Refuge. Joining gives you a voice in helping Friends raise awareness and funds for restoration, conservation, education, outreach and research. Click here for more information and to join.
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Adopt an Ocelot
Ocelots need your help. You can Adopt an Ocelot and help our population of endangered cats to survive and thrive in South Texas. Adopt Now.
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Want to help make a difference while you shop on Amazon, at no extra cost to you? Simply select "Friends of Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge" as your charity. They'll donate
a portion of your eligible purchases to us.
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Check online for pins, magnets, stickers, earrings, patches, caps, cards, gift bundles, and so much more! |
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Check out this wicking t-shirt (above)
*Unisex style in long or short
sleeve, small to 4X
*Women's short sleeve,
small to XL
*Kid's short sleeve,
small to large
Designed by Karen Ceballos,
former intern
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Send us a picture of you wearing Laguna swag! We just might feature you in our newsletter
or on the store website! All photos become property of Friends of LANWR.
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Get your copy of A Place Like No Other, written by J. David Book. Full of facts, anecdotes and pictures from the first 75 years of our favorite wildlife refuge!
$30 plus tax/shipping
Add the DVD, Laguna Atascosa: A South Texas Treasure for $5 more
Shop online or click below to Buy Now!
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The Nature Store @ Laguna Atascosa is one source of funds for projects the Friends support at the Refuge. Shopping here keeps your dollars local and you can rest assured that funds are put to good use supporting many projects on this wonderful Refuge.
Other items, not listed in the online store, such as field guides and books, are also available, just send an email.
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Laguna Atascosa
National Wildlife Refuge
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22688 Buena Vista Rd.
Los Fresnos, TX 78566
956-244-2019
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Refuge remains open daily,
sunrise-sunset
Visitor's Center is closed
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Agents of Discovery
Explore the refuge with Agents of Discovery. Click on the image to learn about Agents and the missions. Fun for the whole family!
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