Field Work in Chile and Argentina
March 2021 update from Tompkins Conservation: Making progress during the pandemic through the field work of our partners Tompkins Conservation Chile and Rewilding Argentina.
In Argentina
FIRST JAGUAR CUBS IN EL IMPENETRABLE!
We welcomed the first jaguar cubs in El Impenetrable, born from the first mating of a wild and captive jaguar worldwide! These two little jaguars bring hope for the recovery of this highly endangered species in the Argentine Chaco. The cubs will be raised by their mother in a secure enclosure without human contact until they can be released into the wild. In the meanwhile, we are working to reducing the threats to wildlife in the park and its surroundings.
JAGUAR MONITORING
In early January, Mariua and her two cubs were released to repopulate the Ibera wetlands with jaguars after the species’ 70-year absence. Every morning at 5:00 AM, readings from Mariua’s collar delivers her latest 8 locations to our computers at the Jaguar Reproduction Center. This information is used to prevent or mitigate any potential conflict and learn more about the species and the reintegration of this top predator into the ecosystem. Click here to see the video.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
After the jaguars were released into the Ibera wetlands, Juan, the community engagement coordinator, visited with local residents to share the news to great excitement and interest.
RED-AND-GREEN MACAW CHICKS
The first red-and-green macaw chicks born in the wild in Argentina in over 150 years are now flying free in Iberá National Park, closely accompanied by their father. Their parents will continue to feed the chicks for another two months as they learn to find native fruits and seeds in the nearby forests.
PATAGONIA AZUL – SEA CLUB
The residents of coastal Camarones, the only community linked to the Patagonia Azul project, have had little historical connection to the ocean. The “Sea Club” was created with the objective of teaching the new generation about the beauty and importance of the Patagonian sea, as well as its threats, while fostering a sense of connection with the ocean.
In the Sea Club’s first activity, kids got a chance to shake off their fear of water and to see the wonders of the Patagonia sea first hand through immersive games.
A WINDOW INTO OUR WORK WITH COMMUNITIES – PATAGONIA AZUL
We have been working with a group of volunteers in Camarones to help build resilience in their isolated community by developing the ability to be self-sufficient amidst the ecological, climatic, and health crises our planet is facing. The group is called “Transicion Camarones” (Camarones Transition).
One of the projects is creating a community orchard and greenhouse to foster local sustainable agrarian production. By producing fresh vegetables with a low carbon footprint and no agro-chemicals, locals are strengthening bonds within the community and reconnecting to the land.
The orchard was built with support from the Patagonia Azul team on a lot made available by the municipal government of Camarones.
In Chile
NEW CHICKS ARRIVE TO REWILD DARWIN RHEAS IN PATAGONIA!
A unique collaboration between Tompkins Conservation Chile and Reserva Quimán, is helping rebuild the population of Darwin’s rheas or ñandus (Rhea pennata), in Patagonia National Park. 10 rhea chicks recently donated by the Quimán Reserve traveled thousands of kilometers to the park, where they will eventually be released into the wild. Since 2015, TC Chile along with CONAF (National Forest Service) and other government agencies, have led the effort to conserve the ñandu or rhea in the Aysen Region.
© Jan Vincent Kleine
YOUTHS RESCUE THE HUEMUL IN CERRO CASILLO NATIONAL PARK
Volunteers removed fencing that separated Tompkins Conservation Chile’s new conservation area in Las Horquetas from Cerro Castillo National Park to allow the free transit of huemuls while reducing the number of huemul injuries on fences. The initiative also fosters young generations to reconnect with their natural heritage.
ROUTE OF PARKS AMMBASSADORS
Tompkins Conservation Chile launched a series of video testimonials showing the cultural heritage of the Route of Parks of Patagonia, revealing the diverse experiences and stories of the communities neighboring Pumalín Douglas Tompkins National Park and Corcovado National Park and highlighting their unique role as “Route of the Parks Ambassadors.” Marca Chile (the agency which promotes Chile) is promoting the videos globally with subtitles in English.
1,000 BOOK DONATION: ACTIVATING THE CONSERVATION CULTURE
Thanks to an alliance with the National Cultural Heritage Service, 1,000 copies of national park books with photography and photo essays, including “Corcovado National Park,” “Yendegaia National Park,” “Retrospective 25 Years” and the recently launched “Pumalin Douglas Tompkins National Park” will be available to all users of Chile’s Public Library Network to generate awareness of the natural treasures of Chile and the importance of their conservation. Digital versions in Spanish are available, along with the recently launched “Pumalin Douglas Tompkins National Park.”
All photos in this post are courtesy of Tompkins Conservation.
A driving force to curb the worldwide climate emergency and the biodiversity crisis, Tompkins Conservation protects, rewilds, and defends land and marine ecosystems in the Southern Cone through collaborating to create national parks and rewilding key species. Working with public and private partners, the organization has helped to create 13 national parks, protecting 14.5 million acres. The goal is to restore a healthy planet with big, wild, and connected landscapes where animals and plants can thrive. This also means helping to build robust communities that benefit from a healthy natural world.
Kristine McDivitt Tompkins and Douglas Tompkins (1943-2015) founded Tompkins Conservation after leading iconic American clothing brands—Kristine as longtime CEO of Patagonia Inc, and Doug as co-founder of The North Face and Esprit. Changing course in the early 1990s to focus on conservation, they became two of the most successful conservation philanthropists in history. After Doug lost his life in a tragic kayaking accident in 2015, Kristine has continued to build on their foundation. She is now the president of Tompkins Conservation and a UN Environment Patron of Protected Areas.
A 501(c)(3) public charity, Tompkins Conservation carries out conservation projects through the nonprofit network of Rewilding Chile and Rewilding Argentina.