Endangered & Threatened Wildlife
in Argentina
Guanaco
In the past 20 years, the population decreased by 93%, going from 50 million to 2 million
This was due to poaching, so the government shut down many roads to discourage poachers
Guanaco poaching is being fought in multiple ways. The government traces guanaco fibers in fabrics to catch and control guanaco poachers. They also allow the shearing of live, free-range guanacos for easier access of their valuable wool, with protected areas for these creatures to roam. Some of these places also include health monitoring, so that they make sure all the guanacos are safe and healthy.
Andean Condor
Andean condors are one of the largest birds in the world
They have an 11 foot wingspan, and can weigh up to 33 pounds
Work is being done with park rangers to monitor condors, keep track of populations, roosts, and nests. This and other information, mainly about the links between condors and their food species, is being collected and used to inform conservation projects. Some conservation organizations are working with the government and herders to reduce poisons in animals to stave off carnivores, and increase populations of the species condors eat, especially in areas with large populations of the birds.
Andean Cat
There are very few Andean Cats
The population is as few as 165
Given that the biggest threat to the Andean Cat is animal herders, WCS is working with them to support the cats. They find good, non-lethal ways to protect animals against carnivores, and help the herders who agree not to hunt the cats get licenses and certifications for their livestock fibers. This leads the farmers to get more money and economic returns with less animals.
Penguin
The Magellanic Penguin is near-threatened
Despite this, they are the most abundant seabird in some regions, with the largest herd having about 200,000 breeding pairs
To make up for food loss, groups are studying the food needs of the creatures and helping with MSP, or Marine Spatial Planning, in areas with these birds. MSP basically means that they use research of sea creatures to help move human industries out of crucial places for the wildlife. People are working with government, both national and local, as well as more private organizations, to make protected areas for nesting and breeding across the coast. If these breeding areas grow larger, they start monitoring them to provide information on the species.
Albatrosses and Petrels
Albatrosses are the largest seabirds in Argentina
They have a wingspan of more than 2 meters
Work is being done both individually to monitor the species and with the government to help the birds, by reducing interference with the birds and using non-lethal fishing practices. They are also working to create recommendations so people disrupt the nesting areas less and therefore develop protected areas. Groups, namely WCS, are monitoring both Albatrosses and Petrels in many ways, including breeding efficiency and the birds’ habitat. They use this info to detect threats to the species before any pain is inflicted and find ways to respond and protect the animals.