Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge

The Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge is slowly being destroyed by unprecedented and destructive off-road vehicle and foot traffic from border patrols and undocumented migrants and smugglers crossing the U.S./Mexican border.

The U.S. Border Patrol began purposefully funneling migrants and smugglers from heavily populated urban areas into the Arizona desert years ago, assuming the harsh desert conditions would deter illegal entry. Instead, border crossings continue to rise, destroying public lands and vital habitat for many threatened and endangered species. Increased Border Patrol activity in response to the spike in illegal crossings is also taking its toll, according to the report.

Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge was established 20 years ago for the endangered masked bobwhite quail, whose only wild population in the U.S. is found on the refuge. The refuge is also home to six other endangered species and a variety of Sonoran desert plants and animals.