After years of conflict among the Nordelta neighbors over the presence of capybaras, this species now faces a new threat in the area: wild dogs attacking them.
According to residents of the private neighborhood, these dogs hunt adult specimens along with their young.
The situation was reported to municipal and judicial authorities, but the problem persists and generates fear among the residents.
“They chase them, they harass them”, said Silvia Soto, spokesperson for the group La Voz de los Carpinchos, in an interview with Noticias Argentinas.
The representative explained that the wild dogs act stealthily: “They don’t show themselves, they are hidden and come out suddenly. They don’t give time for anything”.
Additionally, the attacks not only affect the capybaras: some residents even had to take refuge in their vehicles due to the appearance of these animals.
The situation worsened after the discovery of remains of a capybara leg in the area.
“We don’t know if it’s bait for the dogs to hunt capybaras or if it’s the remains of a capybara they ate,” Soto explained. The discovery caused strong shock among the inhabitants of the gated community.
Capybaras vs. wild dogs: new risk for a protected species
The capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) are protected by the National Law 22.421 on Wildlife Conservation.
Therefore, the attacks could constitute an environmental crime, as it is an native species under legal protection.
The situation is critical because the dogs roam in birthing areas during the period when the females give birth.
“They are being allowed to roam where there are young, which worsens the situation”, warned the spokesperson of the neighborhood group.
The problem adds to the environmental threats already faced by the capybaras in Nordelta due to urban expansion over the wetland and the loss of their natural habitat.
Complaints without response
The self-organized neighbors made presentations to the Nordelta monitoring center, the zoonosis office of the Municipality of Tigre, and the Benavídez prosecutor’s office.
However, the problem continues without an effective solution.
Some residents suspect that the presence of feral dogs could be intentional, as an unofficial population control method over the capybaras.
The group described this possibility as “dangerous and inhumane”.
“If this is the case, it could escalate to a tragedy”, warned La Voz de los Carpinchos.
The organization calls for urgent intervention by municipal and environmental authorities to prevent new attacks and protect the wetland animals.
The neighbors are asking for concrete actions to capture the wild dogs and ensure the safety of both the neighborhood’s pets and the capybaras that naturally inhabit the area.
