Laguna Ojo de Liebre. 02/02/04; Baja California Sur; 36,600 ha; 27°45'N 114°05'W. Reserva de la Biosfera, World Heritage Natural Site. A hypersaline coastal lagoon, one of the main refuges for grey whales (Eschrichtius robustus) where they meet for pairing, breeding and raising their young. It also gives shelter to a wide variety of birds along the river and in the islands in the lagoon - a total of 94 species have been counted between 1995 and 1996. The area contains a lagoon, coastal and marine ecosystems as well as tidal channels and intertidal areas; the surroundings also contain unstable dunes, saltpeter areas, halophilous bushes and marshes. Waste disposal, a consequence of the fishing activities, and the over-exploitation of the area for fishing are the main threats. The lagoon has been declared a sheltered area for whales since 1972. Ramsar site no. 1339. Most recent RIS information: 2004.

Baja California Sur