In a key event for the conservation of Patagonian fauna, a new huemul birth was confirmed in the Shoonem Protected Park.
Located in Alto Río Senguer, Chubut province, this is the fifth recorded birth within an ambitious conservation program aiming to recover one of the most endangered species in Argentina.
A huemul birth is celebrated: an endangered species
The huemul (Hippocamelus bisulcus) is a native deer of the Patagonian Andes, declared a National Natural Monument due to its serious risk of extinction.
Currently, it is estimated that there are between 350 and 500 individuals in Argentine territory, distributed along the Andes Mountain Range, from Mendoza to Santa Cruz. Its population has been decimated by habitat loss, poaching, and competition with exotic species.
The recent birth is the result of joint work between the Shoonem Foundation, Temaikèn Foundation, and the Chubut Directorate of Wildlife.
Within the park premises, a pioneering recovery project is underway, including individual monitoring, rehabilitation of injured huemules, and a controlled breeding and release plan.
Huemul offspring in Chubut. (Photo: Jornada newspaper).
The new huemul offspring
The offspring was born in good health conditions, and its first days were carefully monitored by specialized technicians and veterinarians.
This achievement represents an important step towards the restoration of the wild huemul population in Patagonia.
Through initiatives like this, the goal is not only to protect existing individuals but also to create the necessary conditions for the species to return to areas where it had locally disappeared.
The importance of the huemul as a species for Patagonia
The huemul is a symbol of Andean-Patagonian biodiversity, and its conservation implies preserving the ecosystems in which it lives. The collaboration between non-governmental organizations, scientific institutions, and provincial agencies has been key to advancing in the effective protection of this species.
The huemul, in danger of extinction.
The birth of this fifth offspring in Chubut represents hope for the future. Continuing to strengthen conservation programs is essential to reverse its critical situation and ensure its long-term survival.
