Biodiversity loss represents one of the greatest environmental threats worldwide. The disappearance of species affects not only natural heritage but also the stability of ecosystems. In this context, the State plays a central role as the guarantor of the right to a healthy environment, as established in Article 41 of the National Constitution.
In Argentina, the Administration of National Parks (APN) —a decentralized body of the National State— manages the National System of Protected Areas (SNAP), which includes national parks, natural monuments, and national reserves. These spaces are strategic for the conservation of threatened species in their natural environment (in situ conservation).
The present work aims to analyze the legal tools, institutional capacities, and concrete actions deployed by the APN in defense of endangered fauna, as well as the challenges it faces due to pressures on ecosystems. Applicable regulatory framework.
Law No. 22.351 and the National System of Protected Areas
Law No. 22.351 on National Parks, Natural Monuments, and National Reserves establishes the objectives of conserving areas representative of the country’s ecosystems and their native flora and fauna. This law creates the SNAP and defines the competences of the APN, including the management, control, and surveillance of national protected areas, as well as the possibility of entering into agreements with other organizations and institutions to achieve its goals.
Article 1 of said law makes it clear that the protection of wildlife is an essential purpose of the system, along with scientific research and environmental education.
Likewise, within the regulatory framework, the National Parks Law (Law 22.351) establishes in its 8th article that: “Natural Monuments shall be (…) living species of animals (…).”
Furthermore, Law 22.351 grants the ADMINISTRATION OF NATIONAL PARKS attributions and functions, including: “Article 18: In addition to the attributions and duties conferred by this law and its regulations… they shall have the following: a) The management and oversight of (…) Natural Monuments; c) The Protection of the Inviolability of Natural Monuments,” and it is worth noting that what is stipulated in Article 18 are not only attributions but also obligations.
Currently, there are FOUR (4) species of fauna declared National Natural Monuments: the Southern Right Whale (Eubalaena australis), according to National Law No. 23.094/1984; the Andean deer (Hippocamelus antisensis), in accordance with National Law No. 24.702/96; the South Andean Deer (Hippocamelus bisulcus), as established by National Law No. 24.702/96, and the Jaguar (Panthera onca), in accordance with National Law No. 25.463/01.
Other relevant regulations
This framework is complemented by the General Environmental Law (No. 25.675), which establishes guiding principles such as prevention and precaution; Law No. 22.421 on Wildlife Conservation, which declares the protection of wildlife to be of public interest; and Law No. 14.346 on Animal Abuse, which sanctions cruel acts against animals, including wildlife.
Also essential are the international treaties signed by Argentina, such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), CITES, the Bonn Convention on migratory species, and Ramsar, on wetlands. These regulations impose conservation obligations, control of illegal trade, and international cooperation.
Functions of the APN in species conservation
The APN fulfills multiple functions aimed at protecting species at risk of extinction, including:
- Habitat conservation: National parks are areas where human intervention is minimized, allowing species to develop without severe disturbances.
- Control and surveillance: The park rangers monitor compliance with environmental regulations and combat poaching and wildlife trafficking.
- Monitoring and restoration: Programs are implemented to assess the conservation status of species, develop management plans, and reintroduce locally extinct fauna.
- Environmental education: The APN promotes awareness campaigns, educational visits, and the creation of materials to strengthen collective consciousness about threatened fauna.
Exemplary conservation cases
- Jaguar: In serious danger of extinction, its conservation is promoted from parks such as El Impenetrable, Calilegua, and Iguazú. Camera trapping monitoring, anti-poaching actions, and educational campaigns are carried out.
- Pampas deer: In Campos del Tuyú, its habitat is protected through access restrictions and studies of population behavior.
- Giant otter: Reintroduced in Iberá National Park after local extinction, through a project coordinated between the APN, Rewilding Argentina, and other scientific actors.
Pending challenges
- External pressures: Agricultural expansion, forest fires, and climate change continue to degrade habitats, even within protected areas.
- Institutional capacities: Effective conservation demands specialized human resources, infrastructure, technology, and sustained financing.
- Technological and scientific integration: It is essential to expand the use of tools such as remote sensors, drones, artificial intelligence, or genetics to improve decision-making.
- Community participation: The inclusion of local communities and indigenous peoples provides legitimacy and fundamental knowledge for comprehensive and culturally relevant conservation.
Conclusion
The protection of species at risk of extinction represents a legal, ecological, and ethical priority in the current context of biodiversity crisis. The National Parks Administration (APN), as the implementing authority of the National System of Protected Areas, plays a strategic role in this task through in situ conservation actions, environmental surveillance, and restoration of critical habitats.
As exposed in this work, Law No. 22.351 grants the APN clear competences and concrete obligations regarding the protection of wildlife, particularly concerning Natural Monuments. This legal foundation is complemented by other national regulations and international commitments that reinforce its actions.
However, the role of the APN goes beyond the regulatory framework. Its technical teams develop and implement management plans, conduct population monitoring, address threats such as poaching, and promote environmental education. Initiatives such as the conservation of the jaguar in northern Argentina, the protection of the pampas deer, or the reintroduction of locally extinct species show that it is possible to reverse processes of biodiversity loss when science, management, and participation are combined.
Nevertheless, challenges persist. Factors such as climate change, intensive land use, and habitat fragmentation demand integrated approaches, interinstitutional cooperation, and capacity strengthening. In this framework, the involvement of local communities and indigenous peoples is also crucial, providing knowledge and ensuring social legitimacy.
Ultimately, the APN is called to be a leading actor in the defense of Argentina’s natural heritage. Its institutional strengthening and sustained commitment from society as a whole are essential conditions to guarantee the survival of threatened species and the right to a healthy environment for future generations.
Authors: Leonardo Boaglio and Susana Andrea Morales
