Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge

Refuge staff are responsible for managing the nearly 35,000 acre refuge, most of which is freshwater marsh habitat. The refuge preserves one of the major wintering grounds for waterfowl in the United States. Wintering populations of ducks and geese at Lacassine are among the largest in the National Wildlife Refuge System. The sanctuary provided at Lacassine Pool is critical to the long-term viability of continental pintail populations and is one of the key pintail wintering areas in the continent, with a wintering pintail population that has reached almost 400,000 - which is 50% to 80% of the entire southwest Louisiana midwinter survey. The refuge also participates in programs which improve habitat on privately owned land. Wildlife species found on the refuge are those indigenous to the marshes of coastal Louisiana. Several nesting colonies of wading birds, a large population of alligators, and furbearers such as mink, otter, and raccoon are found on the refuge. Threatened and endangered species found on Lacassine include occasional bald eagles, peregrine falcons, and Louisiana black bear. http://lacassine.fws.gov/