A multi-organisation rewilding project is translocating 15 Darwin's rheas (Rhea pennata), or lesser rheas, from Argentina to Chile, the first international scheme to move a wild population of the species in the Southern Cone region of South America.
Through the partnership of Rewilding Argentina, Rewilding Chile, Freyja Foundation and their parent organisation Tompkins Conservation, along with local forestry and agricultural services, the birds are being transported just 55 miles (90 km) across the border from Patagonia Park in Argentina to Patagonia National Park in Chile.
Known as ñandús in Chile and choiques in Argentina, rheas, which can grow up to 1.10 metres tall and weigh up to 20kg, are natives of the Patagonian Steppe and vital for maintaining healthy grasslands through seed dispersal.
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Why are the Darwin's rheas being moved?
Sadly, the grassy habitats of the Aysén region of southern Chile have suffered from a century of overgrazing and hunting. This has not only affected the ecosystem but also threatened Darwin’s rheas through the destruction of their nests.
It's hoped that by translocating these birds, they will aid the regenerative growth of the grasslands (through seed dispersal), which will in turn encourage their population to recover.
In addition, researchers will be able to study the birds and gain a greater understanding of the species' habits and spatial ecology. They will spend time observing the birds’ interactions and population dynamics while also using GPS to track how they use their territory.
While international rewilding projects such as this are rare, they are considered essential for limiting the threat of extinction of various species and reviving habitats.
For the rewilding organisations of South America, this is a pioneering first step in increasing cross-border cooperation.
Quarantine time
For those concerned about avian flu, there is a plan to mitigate this: the birds, which were selected from across healthy and abundant populations in Argentina to minimise the impact of their removal, underwent veterinary examinations and quarantine, both in their place of origin in Argentina and on arrival in Chile.
They will be kept in holding pens as they get used to their new surroundings before being released into the wild.
President of Tompkins Conservation, Kris Tompkins, says: “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, and hope to say that this action broadens our expectations in restoring nature, because nature knows no borders.”
Main image: Darwin's rhea. Credit: Franco Bucci, TC Communications
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