Faced with the conflict between the residents of Nordelta and the capybaras in the area, a hydraulic engineer proposed creating wildlife corridors to achieve a peaceful coexistence.
The alternative arises after the conflict, which has been ongoing for years, escalated to a new level of cruelty last week: six capybaras were sedated, put in cages, and removed from the neighborhood.
Following complaints from residents and NGOs, a court ruling finally determined that the capybaras must remain in Nordelta at least until a complete Environmental Impact Study is conducted.
However, this is a temporary solution that does not address the underlying issue: the complaint from Nordelta residents about the capybaras and their sometimes excessive reactions.
In response, an alternative devised by hydraulic and civil engineer Claudio Velazco seeks to avoid relocating the animals and put an end to years of tension.
Recently, Velazco presented his proposal to create special corridors for capybaras and the area’s wildlife in the neighborhood.
“We need to see how to coexist with the capybaras”, Velazco stated in an interview with Argentina 12. Additionally, the specialist criticized the idea proposed by Daniel Scioli, Secretary of Tourism, to relocate the animals to an island area.
The proposal for capybara corridors is based on a technical study of Nordelta
The engineer, a staunch defender of capybaras, shared his proposal after conducting a technical study of the area where Nordelta is located.
For this, he used maps from the Military Geographic Institute (IGM) to analyze the terrain characteristics.
His research revealed that it is “a wetland area, about four thousand hectares not suitable for human construction“.
In this line, Velazco denounced that the neighborhood was built in a flood-prone area, where “an ecosystem was broken to make a big business”.
Therefore, the professional pointed out that before proposing a relocation of the capybaras, “other instances must be exhausted”.
This stance contrasts with the relocation proposals that have gained momentum in recent weeks.
How the capybara corridors would work
The proposal for capybara corridors is based on adapting existing streets.
Velazco explained that the animals need to move between different points: some for feeding and others to be in their aquatic habitat.
“Those streets can perfectly be adapted so that capybaras can circulate“, he indicated.
The system would work through culverts of different heights, similar to those used in road crossings.
The communication routes would be elevated, and protection systems would be installed to induce capybaras and other animals to pass through these corridors.
This infrastructure would prevent run-overs, while allowing vehicular traffic without interruptions.
“The issue is that there is no willingness to invest”, questioned the engineer. For Velazco, the easiest position is to opt for relocating the capybaras or, in extreme cases, exterminating them.
The responsibility of the State
The specialist also raised questions about the role of the State in this situation. He questioned why the authorities authorized the construction at the time and now do not demand adequate solutions.
“Why doesn’t the same State now seek the solution and demand it from this consortium managed by large economic powers?“, Velazco asked.
According to Velazco, the necessary investment for the capybara corridors should fall on those who initially developed the real estate project.
“They were there first, let’s respect them,” he stated, referring to the capybaras.
Following this, the engineer offered to provide his technical contribution to design the capybara corridors.
“I am sure that, from an environmental point of view, cordons can be made,” he assured.
The proposal arises amid the debate on the population control of capybaras. Without natural predators, these animals reproduce four times a year, generating tensions with the residents of the private neighborhood.
