Translocation of Darwin’s Rheas from Argentina to Chile: A Historic Rewilding Initiative
A rewilding project has successfully translocated 15 Darwin’s rheas from Argentina to Chile, marking a historic first in cross-border wildlife efforts. This initiative aims to restore the grasslands in the Aysén region of Chile, providing habitats essential for the rhea population’s recovery and allowing for key ecological studies. Measures are in place to address health concerns as the birds acclimatize to their new environment.
A collaborative rewilding initiative is translocating 15 Darwin’s rheas (Rhea pennata) from Argentina to Chile, marking the first cross-border movement of this wild population in the Southern Cone. Led by Rewilding Argentina and Rewilding Chile, supported by Tompkins Conservation, this project facilitates the relocation of the birds from Patagonia Park to Patagonia National Park, covering a distance of just 55 miles (90 kilometers).
Commonly referred to as ñandús in Chile and choiques in Argentina, these flightless birds are crucial to maintaining healthy grasslands in the Patagonian Steppe through seed dispersal. They can grow up to 1.10 meters in height and weigh as much as 20 kilograms. Unfortunately, the Aysén region’s grassy habitats have experienced a century of overgrazing and hunting, jeopardizing the ecosystem and threatening the rheas’ nests.
The translocation is expected to foster the regrowth of grasslands, thereby aiding in the recovery of Darwin’s rhea populations. Moreover, researchers aim to observe these birds to enhance their understanding of the species’ behavior and spatial ecology, utilizing GPS technology to monitor their territorial movements.
International rewilding efforts like this one are rare yet vital in the fight against species extinction and habitat revival. This project represents a pioneering collaboration enhancing cross-border conservation efforts in South America.
Measures have been implemented to address concerns regarding avian influenza. The selected birds were sourced from healthy populations in Argentina and underwent thorough veterinary screenings and quarantine protocols both before and after their transfer to Chile. They will be acclimatized in holding pens prior to their release into the wild.
Kris Tompkins, President of Tompkins Conservation, stated, “Today we’ve hit a historic milestone for rewilding. If we want to reverse the mass extinction crisis, international cooperation is going to be essential. I’m very proud of the work of our offspring organisations…because nature knows no borders.”
The translocation of 15 Darwin’s rheas from Argentina to Chile represents a significant first step towards international cooperation in wildlife conservation. By moving these birds to help restore and regenerate grasslands, the initiative not only contributes to the recovery of the species but also fosters a collaborative approach to address environmental challenges across borders. This project underscores the importance of such efforts in combatting extinction threats and revitalizing ecosystems.
Original Source: www.discoverwildlife.com
