Today we bounced over the jarring Route 7 to catch a chartered flight to Patagonia National Park. Our transition from the rainy temperate forest of the Lake District to the arid higher elevations of the Aysen region was much appreciated. After checking in to our Explora eco-lodge, we set out with Rewilding Chile’s program director Maria to visit sheepherder-turned-tracker Daniel “Danny” to find one of the 5 indicator species, the Andean Deer (huemul). The other 4 being the Puma, Condor, Guanaco and Rhea. With the assistance of a transponder Danny lead us to a pregnant deer (Donita due in 5 days) along with 2 juvenile males. We’re convinced he really didn’t need a transponder as he’s been hiking this region his entire life.
Our next gravel track lead us to Puesto Choique, the Nandu Rehabilitation Center, working to avoid the extinction of an ostrich-like bird also known as the rhea. After a chat with Rewilding Chile volunteers about the ongoing research and monitoring we visited the nandu nurseries. Here young birds after being raised by the male rheas are prepared for release into the park. The female rhea is known to just drop her eggs in a nest and leave them for the males to incubate. Some males have been seen tending to 30 eggs. Chicks are flown in and spend 6 months progressing through the appropriate sized and protected monitoring areas. Look closely at the top middle photo … our one rhea sighting in the wild! Our remaining critical species to experience in the wild … the elusive puma.
We’ve met many passionate young people working here in the park with Re Wilding Chile and other conservation groups. Their stories are diverse and their commitment unwavering especially after seeing some of the refuges they live in while they are monitoring the rhea or the Huemul!
Rambling PA's 
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