For Ilona Da Cruz Gerngross, Patagonia was a distant dream, a landscape she had only imagined. However, her journey from New Caledonia to El Unco became an immersion in wild nature and in science applied to conservation. As a volunteer for the Rewilding Argentina Project, she arrived at Parque Patagonia to complete her master’s degree in Sustainability Sciences and Climate Change, but found much more than academic learning: she discovered her vocation in fieldwork.
In the northwest of Santa Cruz, where the steppe merges with ancient canyons, lies El Unco, one of the bases of Rewilding Argentina. Here, Ilona dedicated her days to monitoring wildlife, tracking emblematic species such as pumas, Geoffroy’s cats, orange chinchillas, Darwin’s rheas, and coypus. With binoculars in hand and VHF antennas, she worked alongside a team of technicians and volunteers to assess the health of the ecosystems.
“Some days started by feeding the animals in rehabilitation, while others involved going out to the field to check the camera traps and monitor species,” she explained. She also participated in captures and veterinary procedures to fit tracking collars, a key task for fauna research and protection.
One of the most striking moments of her stay was the sighting of a puma in its natural habitat. “It’s hard to explain the emotion of seeing such a majestic animal in the wild,” she recounts. Another special memory was her first contact with the Patagonian wind: “I had been warned, but until you experience it, you don’t understand it. One day we went out to track Geoffroy’s cats and the wind was pushing us back. Between the sand in our eyes and laughter, it was an unforgettable experience.”
A future in conservation
The experience at El Unco confirmed her passion for ecological restoration. She now seeks to continue her education to contribute to the protection of fragile ecosystems. “The most impressive thing was to see how, in a few years, with conservation efforts, biodiversity is returning. This shows that we can do something to reverse the environmental crisis.”
When asked how she would describe Patagonia, Ilona doesn’t hesitate: “Tremendous vastness.” But she also knows that its beauty is impossible to summarize in two words: “When I return to France, I will talk about Patagonia until they ask me to stop… but I don’t think anyone gets tired of Patagonia.”
What is the importance of species conservation?
Species conservation is important because it helps maintain biodiversity, which is the variety of life on the planet. Biodiversity is fundamental for the functioning of ecosystems and the well-being of humanity.
Benefits of species conservation
- Natural resources: Biodiversity provides food, clean water, medicines, and other essential resources.
- Climate: Biodiversity helps regulate the climate and prevent floods.
- Pollination: Bees and other insects are important for plant fertilization.
- Pest control: Predators help control herbivore populations.
- Cultural value: Many species are important for indigenous peoples, and their extinction can lead to the loss of traditional knowledge and practices.
- Aesthetic value: The presence of diverse fauna enhances the aesthetic appeal of natural environments.
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