Established 1951 | Area 159 ha Management National Park Service | |
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Nearest city St. Petersburg, Florida Address St. Petersburg, FL 33715, USA Similar Caloosahatchee National Wildlife R, Watson Island State For, Pine Island National Wildlife R, Ralph E Simmons Memorial, Madira Bickel Mound St | ||
The Pinellas National Wildlife Refuge is part of the United States National Wildlife Refuge System, located off shore from mainland St. Petersburg, Florida, and only accessible by boat. The 394-acre (1.59 km2) 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.
Contents
The refuge is one of the three 'Tampa Bay Refuges', and is administered as a part of the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge Complex. It is closed to public use.
FaunaEdit
Brown pelicans, herons, egrets, cormorants and many other species nest on the islands. Tarpon Key has the largest brown pelican rookery in the state.
AccessEdit
Public use of the islands is not allowed to protect the species there.