This week, four new park rangers began working at the Los Glaciares National Park in Santa Cruz.
The new agents, graduates of the 33rd Class of the Park Rangers School, were presented at the Headquarters and are already occupying their positions in different sections of the southern area of the park.
The additions do not increase the total staffing of the protected area, but rather fill vacancies created by staff transfers to other destinations within the national system.
Regular Transfers in Summer Season
The head of the Park Rangers Department, Daniel Muñoz, confirmed that the incorporations are part of the regular process of transfers that occur during the summer in National Parks.
“In the summer, transfers of the park rangers and their families generally occur, as it is a suitable time since there are no classes. Therefore, all movements are planned at a national level with the resources available to National Parks,” Muñoz explained in statements to FM Dimensión.
The four park rangers newly arrived at the Los Glaciares National Park are:
- Diego Heinrich
- Catalina Rostagno
- Leandro Yassin
- Juan Manuel Boudouve
All belong to the most recent class of the Park Rangers School and arrived in El Calafate highly motivated to join the team of the protected area.
How the Reception of the New Park Rangers at Los Glaciares National Park Was
During their first day, the new park rangers took an institutional tour of the various areas of the National Park Headquarters.
There, they were introduced to the staff and then received the identifying symbols of the Los Glaciares park rangers corps.
“They were given a mini guided tour of all the departments of the Headquarters and were welcomed with a National Park insignia, which they will now wear on their arm, and an insignia of the National Park Rangers Corps,” detailed Muñoz.
In this first stage, all agents were assigned to southern area sections where there were operational vacancies.
“They will all be here in the southern area, for now, because we had vacant spots. They will be at Lago Roca, Moreno, and Mitre,” specified the head of park rangers.
Additionally, it was reported that in the coming days another transferred park ranger from another national park will join, who has more previous experience in the system.
Current Staffing and Prospects
Currently, the Los Glaciares National Park has 21 park rangers deployed territorially, although that number could temporarily decrease due to ongoing transfers.
“For now we are 21, but some transfers are about to be completed, so we would decrease to 18,” indicated Muñoz on the program A Diario.
The head of the Park Rangers Department emphasized that the situation of Los Glaciares is not different from the reality of the rest of the national protected areas system.
“In reality, all national parks are waiting to receive more park rangers. The blanket is short and we are all awaiting the new classes,” he stated.
And he added: “I know that the National Parks Administration plans to improve the intake so that there are more park rangers,” he concluded.
“We were fortunate to receive four brand new park rangers from the latest class, with great motivation,” highlighted Muñoz.
And he concluded: “We are also eager to accompany them and help them in the adaptation and strengthening within the protected area.”
