The rescue and rehabilitation of wild animals turns the La Esmeralda Wildlife Rescue Center, in Santa Fe, into an essential refuge for Argentinian biodiversity.
There, between 1500 and 2000 animals coexist in the 13 hectares of the Center.
This site functions as a medium and high complexity hospital where veterinarians, biologists, and caretakers work to reintroduce species into their natural habitats.
The goal of rescue and rehabilitation is clear: return animals to nature whenever possible.
Constant releases and cases that cannot return
After the rescue and rehabilitation of the specimens, La Esmeralda carries out frequent releases, two or three times a month depending on conditions.
In 2024, the team achieved 520 reintroductions: more than 400 birds, 100 mammals, and 11 reptiles.
For example, two weeks ago a capybara, two wildcats, 13 opossums, and a yacaré returned to a reserve in Cayastá. However, many specimens cannot be released.
While some are exotic species not native to Argentine ecoregions, others suffer injuries or diseases that prevent them from surviving in the wild.
This includes everything from one-eyed or wingless birds to mammals with damaged legs.
There is a third factor: species that have been domesticated in captivity or were born within La Esmeralda.
“We receive animals all the time and there are also releases, depending on each case,” explained Mauro Pergazere, veterinarian and director of the Central Delegation of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change of Santa Fe.
Iconic species under protection
The maned wolf, declared a provincial natural monument by law 12.182, is one of the most fascinating species at La Esmeralda.
Mataco and Anahí, male and female of this species, live in connected plots and will not be released. Anahí arrived as a baby pup five years ago and serves for reproduction and environmental education.
This South American canid reaches up to 1.7 meters in length and is threatened by hunting, roadkill, and the replacement of grasslands with crops.
Its Guarani name means “big fox” and its enigmatic gait is reminiscent of a camel.
Additionally, more than 320 reptiles coexist on the premises: yacarés in the lagoon, turtles, and tegu lizards that roam freely.
There are also spider monkeys, capuchins, and howler monkeys, as well as hawks, owls, and macaws recovered from illegal trafficking.
In addition to the maned wolf, Santa Fe protects several threatened species by law, many present at La Esmeralda:
- Crowned eagle: only a thousand specimens remain in the world, threatened by electrocution on high voltage towers
- Yellow cardinal: around two thousand specimens, decimated by fires, deforestation, and illegal trapping
- Pampas deer: endangered by hunting, crops, and dog attacks
- Howler monkey: soon to be declared a natural monument as an “umbrella species” to protect the Jaaukanigás wetland
From illegal hunting grounds to new opportunities at La Esmeralda
Another example of La Esmeralda’s exemplary work is the presence of the four pumas at the center.
These were seized from an illegal hunting ground at the La Primavera estate, San Cristóbal department.
A small one, nine months old, arrived with a hand fracture after being a victim of pet keeping in San Justo.
Additionally, rescue and rehabilitation also face cultural challenges. In northern Santa Fe, for example, the Ministry works to reverse the long-standing tradition of parrot trafficking.
This practice uses children to capture chicks from nests, also constituting child labor.
Therefore, when La Esmeralda teams release animals in native forests, such as in Villa Guillermina, they coordinate awareness talks with the community to reverse these practices.
La Esmeralda, from rescue and rehabilitation to educational space
Currently, La Esmeralda, known as “the farm” when it operated as a zoo, is closed to the public due to renovations.
The center will be transformed into a model space with expanded hospital areas and care for recovered wildlife.
A first phase of offices will be inaugurated in the early months of 2026, while public visits will resume later as an environmental education space to raise awareness about the conservation of Argentinian biodiversity.
