Pinellas National Wildlife Refuge
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| Pinellas National Wildlife Refuge | |
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| IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape) | |
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| Location: | Pinellas County, Florida, USA |
| Nearest city: | St. Petersburg, Florida |
| Area: | 394 acres |
| Established: | 1951 |
| Governing body: | National Park Service |
The Pinellas National Wildlife Refuge is part of the United States National Wildlife Refuge System, located off shore from St. Petersburg, and only accessible by boat.. The 394 acre refuge was established in 1951, to act as a breeding ground for colonial bird species. Islands within the refuge include Indian, Tarpon, Mule, and Jackass Keys, and all are within the St. Petersburg city limits.
The refuge is one of the three 'Tampa Bay Refuges', and is administered as a part of the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge Complex.
[edit] Fauna
Brown pelicans, herons, egrets, cormorants and many other species nest on the islands. Tarpon Key has the largest brown pelican rookery in the state.
[edit] Access
Public use of the islands is not allowed in order to protect the species there.
