The Rio dos Frades Wildlife Refuge is in the municipality of Porto Seguro, Bahia.

[4] The local people of Itaporanga use the reserve to access the beach and the river mouth for leisure and for fishing.

[6] On 15 May 2006 the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) began public consultations on the proposed creation of the Rio dos Frades and Una wildlife refuges, as well as the proposed expansion of the Pau-Brazil and Descobrimento national parks and of the Una Biological Reserve.

[7] The Rio dos Frades Wildlife Refuge was created by federal decree on 21 December 2007 with the basic objective of preserving natural ecosystems of great ecological relevance and scenic beauty, enabling scientific research, education and environmental interpretation and supporting recreation in contact with nature.

[8] It is classed as IUCN protected area category III (natural monument or feature).