Change of Focus: Iberá National Park Adjusts Protocols and Will Not Close Due to the Presence of the Jaguar Ombú

After several partial closures in the Iberá National Park due to the presence of Ombú, a young jaguar reintroduced in the Esteros, the National Parks Administration (APN) agreed with the Carlos Pellegrini Tourism Chamber on a new protocol.

The measure seeks to ensure the safety of visitors without affecting the tourist activity, which is key to the local economy.

The protagonist: Ombú

Ombú is a one-and-a-half-year-old male born in Iberá thanks to the reintroduction project promoted by the Rewilding Argentina Foundation.

His presence on tourist trails was expected: the felines begin to explore public use areas, which requires coexistence protocols similar to those applied in the Brazilian Pantanal.

Security protocols

The new scheme establishes that:

• Only the sector where the jaguar is detected will be closed, not the entire park.
• Visitors must move in compact groups, which deters the feline.
• Children must be placed in the center of the group, always accompanied by an expert guide.
• Monitoring will be reinforced with personnel on the ground and information on safe sightings will be provided.

In the Iberá Provincial Park, where Ombú also roams, a similar protocol is already applied: small groups of up to eight people with a guide in the areas where the feline is found.

Tourism and local community

The closure of trails had generated controversy, as it affected the flow of visitors in Colonia Pellegrini, where tourism represents almost all employment. The Tourism Chamber and the Association of Guides demanded less restrictive measures and greater training for residents and sector actors.

Estrella Losada, president of the Iberá Tourism Chamber, celebrated the agreement: “It is the first time we have received such a strong response. The protocol will allow us to safely tour the trails with the presence of jaguars”.

Activities in Iberá

The Iberá Wetlands remain fully open for tourism. The main activities include:

• Kayak and canoe navigation.
• Guided walks on trails.
• Wildlife watching.
• Horseback riding and boat excursions, the star activity of the place.

The only change affects the circuits where Ombú moves, which must be toured with a trained guide.

The presence of the jaguar in Iberá marks a milestone in the recovery of emblematic species and poses the challenge of coexisting with an apex predator.

The new protocols aim to balance conservation and tourism, ensuring safety for visitors and continuity for the local economy. Iberá is established as an example of how fauna reintroduction can coexist with community and tourist development.