{{Short description|Island and wildlife refuge in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil}} {{Infobox protected area | name = Ilha dos Lobos | alt_name = Refúgio de Vida Silvestre da Ilha dos Lobos | iucn_category = III | image = ilhalobos.jpg | image_alt = | image_caption = Ilha dos Lobos with Torres on the background | image_size = | map = Brazil | relief = yes | location = | nearest_city = [[Torres, Rio Grande do Sul]] | coordinates = {{coord|-29.347|-49.704|display=inline, title}} | area = {{convert|1.7|ha}} | designation = [[Wildlife refuge (Brazil)|Wildlife refuge]] | created = 4 July 1983 | administrator = [[Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade]] | website = }} '''Ilha dos Lobos''' is a small island and [[Wildlife refuge (Brazil)|wildlife refuge]] on the [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]] coast of [[Torres, Rio Grande do Sul]], Brazil.
==Location ==
Ilha dos Lobos is about {{convert|2|km}} offshore from the Praia Grande of the coastal city of [[Torres, Rio Grande do Sul|Torres]] on the northern shore of the state of [[Rio Grande do Sul]]. It is named after the [[sea lion]]s (''grandes lobos marinhos'') who use the island for breeding between July and November. The island's highest point is {{convert|2|m}}. It has caused many shipwrecks in storms, including the ''Hawaii'' (1965). The island is a resting point for [[Pinniped|seals]] migrating from [[Patagonia]], and is a transit point for dolphins, whales, porpoises, sea turtles and birds.{{sfn|Reserva Ecológica da Ilha dos Lobos – Via Rural}}
==Conservation==
The Ilha dos Lobos Ecological Reserve was created on 4 July 1983 by presidential decree with an area of {{convert|16,966|m2}}.<ref name="decreto_88463">{{cite web|url=http://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/decreto/1980-1989/D88463.htm|title=DECRETO Nº 88.463, DE 4 DE JULHO DE 1983|date=4 July 1983|publisher=Presidência da República - Casa Civil- Subchefia para Assuntos Jurídicos|accessdate=3 February 2012}}</ref> This was revoked and the island was reclassified as a wildlife refuge on 4 July 2005, the Refúgio de vida silvestre Ilha dos Lobos.<ref name="decreto_revis">{{cite web|url=http://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/_Ato2004-2006/2005/Dnn/Dnn10578.htm|title=DECRETO DE 4 DE JULHO DE 2005|date=4 July 2005|publisher=Presidência da República - Casa Civil- Subchefia para Assuntos Jurídicos|accessdate=3 February 2012}}</ref> The reserve was created to protect and monitor marine species, for research and environmental education. Fishing or landing on the reserve is prohibited.{{sfn|Reserva Ecológica da Ilha dos Lobos – Via Rural}}
== Recreational use==
The island has started to attract surfers, who come by boat.{{sfn|Reserva Ecológica da Ilha dos Lobos – Via Rural}} They have found it is a giant point break with proper conditions for [[Tow-in surfing]]. Much of the effort to establish Ilha dos Lobos as an international class tow-in surf spot is credited to Torres Local Surf hero [[Zeca Scheffer]], who died in a car crash in Dec 2006.{{Citation needed|date=February 2009}} Surfing in this island is banned because of its conservation status by national laws. Although proper conditions are rare it is possible to dive around the island.{{Citation needed|date=February 2009}}
<gallery mode=packed heights=200> File:Surfisla.JPG|Surfer riding wave on the vicinity of the island File:DESEMBARQUE NA ILHA DOS LOBOS - panoramio.jpg|Visitors to the island June 2008 </gallery>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==Sources== {{Refbegin}} *{{citation|ref={{harvid|Reserva Ecológica da Ilha dos Lobos – Via Rural}}|language=Portuguese|title=Reserva Ecológica da Ilha dos Lobos|publisher=Via Rural|url=http://br.viarural.com/servicos/turismo/reservas-ecologicas/reserva-ecologica-da-ilha-dos-lobos/default.htm|accessdate=2016-04-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313013634/http://br.viarural.com/servicos/turismo/reservas-ecologicas/reserva-ecologica-da-ilha-dos-lobos/default.htm|archive-date=2016-03-13|url-status=usurped}} {{Refend}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Atlantic islands of Brazil|Lobos]] [[Category:Landforms of Rio Grande do Sul]] [[Category:Protected areas of Rio Grande do Sul]] [[Category:Wildlife sanctuaries of Brazil]]