Ozark Cavefish National Wildlife Refuge facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ozark Cavefish National Wildlife Refuge
Ozark Cavefish National Wildlife Refuge Location in the United States
Location	Lawrence County, Missouri, United States
Nearest city	Springfield, MO
Area	40 acres (16 ha)
Established	1991
Visitors	Closed to the public (in 2006)
Governing body	U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Website	Ozark Cavefish National Wildlife Refuge

The Ozark Cavefish National Wildlife Refuge is a 40-acre (16-ha) National Wildlife Refuge located in Lawrence County, Missouri, 20 mi (32 km) west of Springfield. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service acquired the land in 1991 to protect the endangered Ozark cavefish.

Wildlife and protected species

In addition to the Ozark cavefish, Turnback Cave provides habitat for the endangered gray bat, whose droppings provide the essential nutrient source for the caves. The refuge is closed to the public.