The huemul (or south Andean deer) is one of two extant deer species within the Hippocamelus genus.
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With 6,435 kilometers of coastline, the South American nation of Chile plays host to marine creatures like the blue whale and orca, while marvelous birds like the Andean condor can be spotted soaring above its interior peaks—and when it comes to land mammals, few species can match the cultural significance of the huemul. Also known as the South Andean deer, this elusive animal is prominently featured in the Chilean national coat of arms, and was even designated a Natural Monument of Chile back in 2006. Yet in spite of its nationwide fame, this animal teetered on the brink of extinction just a few years ago.
Once native to a vast expanse of mountains stretching between Chile and Argentina, huemul populations plummeted over the past few centuries due to rampant overhunting, extirpating the animals from much of their native habitat. In the wake of this crushing blow, the deer must rely on ambitious conservation programs to regain their previous numbers—and fortunately, Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve is working hard to make it happen.
Officially established in 1999, this verdant park spans 100,000 hectares along the eastern edge of Chile’s Los Ríos region, with no shortage of fascinating flora and fauna calling the region home. While the local huemul population had disappeared by the 1980s, the Huilo Huilo Foundation acted as a crucial catalyst for conservation efforts during the 2000s, working closely with the Chilean government to reintroduce the animals to their native home. In 2005, the foundation saw their dreams become reality with the addition of two deer to Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve, with both individuals introduced into a controlled segment of the park to avoid any natural or human-made threats.
Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve is located next to Neltume, a small Chilean town that was home to a … [+] prominent logging industry in the 20th century.
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While the huemul is a particularly fragile species—the animals often die from capture myopathy due to extreme stress associated with interacting with humans—the project has seen success in recent years. According to Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve’s Chief of Rangers Francisca Ruiz, there are roughly thirty of the deer thriving across the region today, some living within the controlled breeding center while others roam freely in the wilderness. And while the huemul is making a gradual comeback across Chile’s Los Ríos region, they’re far from the only animal that calls Huilo Huilo home.
The park is a treasure trove for mammals, with species like the colocolo opossum, southern pudú and Andes skunk all found within its boundaries—and each one of these animals serves as prey for one particularly iconic predator. Pumas are of particular interest for the Huilo Huilo Foundation, with an ongoing project in place that’s dedicated to tracking their movement patterns and diet throughout the preserve. In addition to the cats, the organization is also heavily involved in conservation efforts for the Darwin’s frog—a small amphibian that’s endemic to northern Patagonia—as well as the guanaco, a South American camelid that’s closely related to the llama. And in terms of avifauna, the preserve draws birdwatchers in droves thanks to its rich bounty of native species, with striking creatures like the chucao tapaculo, Magellanic woodpecker and chimango caracara all found flitting along the treetops.
The chucao tapaculo is one of many avian species that call Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve home.
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In addition to acting as a crucial haven for Chilean biodiversity, Huilo Huilo also doubles as a top spot for ecotourism, with international tourists and local outdoor adventurers both found trekking across the park all throughout the year. During the colder months, visitors can be found skiing, snowmobiling and hiking along the park’s mountain trails clad in snowshoes, while summer brings the opportunity to kayak across the region’s many rivers and lakes. And to sweeten the deal, Huilo Huilo is also renowned for its top-notch hospitality, with lodges like Hotel Nothofagus in place for guests. Clad in rustic wood paneling and adorned with a grandiose spiral stairway, the property boasts 55 spacious rooms that perfectly accent the natural bounty of the surrounding region—and it also comes equipped with a high-end restaurant that’s mastered the art of crafting hearty Chilean dishes using native Patagonian ingredients.
While South American nations like Colombia and Brazil have earned worldwide acclaim for their high concentration of endemic flora and fauna, Chile serves as a particularly underrated destination for ecotourism, with sites like Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve showcasing the ample biodiversity of the nation. In addition to its rich array of indigenous birds, reptiles and insects, the park has cemented itself as one of the region’s foremost institutions for mammal conservation, with the puma, guanaco and huemul all under careful watch to ensure their prolonged survival across the park. As you plan your next all-out ecotourism adventure across Latin America, be sure to save some room on the itinerary for a trip to Huilo Huilo, a lush preserve that casts a spotlight on some of Chile’s most marvelous species.
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Publish date : 2024-10-27 02:30:00
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