Fifteen wild Darwin's rheas (Rhea pennata), also known as lesser rheas, have been transferred from Argentina to Chile as part of a programme to restore the threatened species in Chilean Patagonia.
These large, flightless birds — also known locally as 'ñandú petiso', 'choique', or 'suri' — are an emblematic species of the Patagonian steppe. They play a crucial role in maintaining healthy grasslands by dispersing seeds and promoting vegetative growth.
However, in the Aysén region, over a century of overgrazing, hunting and nest destruction, has severely reduced their numbers. Given the complications of livestock fences and wild dogs, the rheas were moved across the Andes be conservationists to ensure their safety.
A lorry transported the birds from Santa Cruz Province, to Chile's Patagonia National Park in the Aysén region, approximately 1,900 km south of Santiago, conservation foundations overseeing the project reported on Monday.
One by one, the birds were carefully removed from their wooden crates. Before release, they will undergo an adaptation process in enclosures and are being monitored using GPS technology and telemetry to study their movements and behaviour.
To mitigate concerns of avian flu, the rheas underwent veterinary checks and quarantine both in Argentina and upon arrival in Chile.
For Chile's Agriculture Minister, Esteban Valenzuela, this binational initiative could become "a model for future actions that enable threatened species to return to the ecosystems where they once thrived."
Since 2015, the Patagonia National Park in Chile has been running a rhea restoration programme, which also includes breeding in specialised centres. Currently, there are about 68 of these birds in the park, but the goal is to reach 100 adults in the wild to establish a self-sustaining population, according to conservationist NGO Fundación Rewilding.
Cristián Saucedo, Director of Wildlife for Rewilding Chile, highlighted the significance of this project: "The protocols to restore species across borders didn’t even exist until now. Yet, out of necessity, our institutional systems are evolving to be more dynamic and responsive to crises. It’s an exciting time for rewilding."
Darwin's rhea is a species endemic to South America, measuring between 90 and 100 cm in height. It is considered the largest bird in Chile. Although it cannot fly, its long legs allow it to run at high speeds.
Patagonia National Park is a legacy of American philanthropist Douglas Tompkins, who in 1990 purchased and later donated 8,000 km² of land to Chile and Argentina for nature conservation.
Also involved were the provinces of Santa Cruz, the Chilean Forestry Service (CONAF), the Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG), Freyja Foundation, Rewilding Argentina, and Rewilding Chile.
Kris Tompkins, President of Tompkins Conservation, described the news as "a historic milestone for rewilding."
– TIMES/AFP
Comments