Conservation volunteer Monteserat (Monsi), Bryna and park ranger Emmanuel, using a radio collar locator to find a recently re-introduced to the wild Pampas Deer.

One of the missions of Doug and Kris Tompkin’s Conservation Land Trust (CLT), the organization that manages the area where we were staying in Esteros del Ibera, is to reintroduce several species of mammals that once inhabited this region. Due to hunting and habitat destruction caused by extensive cattle grazing, these species had all but gone extinct in this region. Currently they are working on reintroducing the pampas deer, the giant anteater and the peccary. We were fortunate to have the opportunity to spent time with some of the biologists and park rangers as they monitored some of the animals that they have started to re-introduced into the wild. Many were rescue animals from either zoos or rehabilitation centers in other parts of the country. Each requires a special program to help them re-adapt to their natural habitat which, for some, will require years of monitoring. It is reassuring and heartening that many in the Argentine government, local and federal, as well as people living in the area have begun to grasp the importance of protecting and nurturing the country’s natural wildlife heritage. 

Eye to eye with the elusive and shy pampas deer, the tall natural grasses are its habitat and hiding place.

The marsh deer, which was never locally extinct in the Esteros because of the increase in its protected habitat, has made a significant rebound in number.

One of the rescued peccaries that have successfully been released into the Esteros reserve.

Emanuel and Monse using a radio receiver to locate Misty, the giant anteater, and her cub which have been living in the wild since her release about six months ago. Unfortunately she was located over two kilometers away from us in a very difficult terrain to walk through. Given the extreme temperature of the day, in the 90's, we all decided to forego the possible five-hour round trip walking experience.

The Esteros style!