The Park’s area and surroundings have a severe hunting pressure history because of the “estancias” settlement. On the other hand, cattle and non-traditional tourist activities worsen the conservation of the Park’s fauna. In order to control and revert this situation, the park has a recovering plan. Gray fox. In this page: Uses and conservation states Recovery Program

Uses and conservation states

There have been, and it is likely to persist, intense fox, guanaco and puma hunting.  As a testimony of the severity and lasting of this pressure, Prichard (1902) said "two pioneers killed 73 pumas during a winter near Lago Argentino"... Referring to the huemul, Serret’s report (1996) mention the problems of conservation of the population to the west of Lago Viedma; as a consequence of the wild horses in the area and the livestock activity in the nearby estancias. These circumstances produce a greater vulnerability to the predation of the puma. It is also harming for this specie the increasing non-traditional tourist activities and the lack of control because of the absence of Park rangers in some of the sections.

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Recovery Program

To revert the processes mentioned above, these programs are being run: A. Protection of the huemul population Guarantee the observance of people trespassing the west area of Lago Viedma between Seno Moyano and Glaciar Viedma, including the intangible area and strict natural reservation. Evaluate, in this area, the alternative of a more convenient handling of wild horses. Their permanence could cause, because of competence, the huemul population, but on the other hand, their eventual removal could induce a greater predation of pumas over huemuls. B. Complete vertebrate catalogue The vertebrate catalogue is still not complete. Having a list of species in the Park is a basic need to know the fauna being protected. It should be taken into account that this catalogue is almost complete for birds and amphibians, lacking information on reptiles, mammals and fish. The remaining tasks are: Make an reptile and fish catalogue. Complete the small mammals catalogue. Make the birds catalogue for high environments and in the National Reservation – Northern Area. C. Determine the presence of two bird species in risk of extinction in our country The Austral Rail (Rallus antarcticus) and the Cordilleran Snipe (Gallinago stricklandii) have been considered respectively in Argentina “in risk of extinction” and “vulnerable” by the Wild Fauna Regional Patagonic Council (1995).These two species, rarely known in our country, could be found in the National Park. Their localization could be very important for their study and conservation. To accomplish this, it would be necessary to: Make a bibliographic research on the existing data about both species, to make a guide to find the environments, and to search and identify the species. Make, all year long, an exhaustive revision of the environments identified as possible homes for these species. Allow the participation of independent investigators in the search of both species. D. Study and evaluate the choique’s population The choique is a vulnerable specie, rarely represented in other protected areas in the country. Los Glaciares National Park, with a significant steppe area , is one of the protected areas with a high importance for this specie. It is necessary to evaluate the population, because of the intensive use of the land for livestock. The following tasks are to be completed: Evaluation of the habitat use, distribution, movements. Evaluation of the influence of livestock of the habitat and choique’s population Propose of handling plans.

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Source: Los Glaciares National Park