Project Partner Organisation: Fundación Patagonia Natural www.patagonianatural.org Contact FPN

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Coastal Steppe Project, Patagonia

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Conservation in Patagonia
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Background and further information

Conservation in Patagonia 

Location

Located in Southern Argentina, in the buffer zone of the Valdes Peninsular, the Ranch of Hopes Wildlife Refuge (Estancia la Esperanza) consists of over 15,000 acres (6,000 ha) of coastal steppe habitat. The refuge, now officially designated as a wildlife reserve by the provincial government, was purchased with the help of funds raised by the World Land Trust (WLT), in 2000, in a window of opportunity following the collapse in the wool trade.

Where other parts of the region have suffered from irresponsible tourist development, WLT are working closely with local partner organisation Fundación Patagonia Natural (FPN), who run the reserve, on sustainable development projects that benefit both the people and the wildlife of Patagonia. See current work for more information.

Landscape and Wildlife

The Patagonian coastal steppe landscape. See larger image. (Use your back button to return here.)

The virtually treeless terrain of Patagonia sweeps down to a coastline rich in marine life. Southern Right Whales come close to the shore, and it is estimated that 1,500 individuals (25% of the world population) spend much of their year in the waters around the neighbouring Valdes Peninsula. On the shore colonies of Magellanic Penguins, Elephant Seals and Sea Lions congregate and breed. The area is also host to the spectacular Killer Whales who can be seen coming to shore in search of their Sea Lion prey.

Terrestrial species are important too and include:

• Herds of Guanacos (wild relatives of Llamas) that roam freely on the reserve
• An elusive Puma (only recently sighted)
• Geoffroy's Cat (a small, spotted mini jaguar)
• Copelo Fox and Gray Fox
• Maras (Patagonia hares)
• Rheas

Patagonia Restoration Fund

A necessary part of any conservation project is financial sustainability to ensure its security in the future. Now that the loans have been paid off, WLT is seeking potential investors who would like to be involved in the ongoing conservation work and development of a visitor facility at the reserve. See current financial requirements for more information.

Other ways of supporting the Coastal Steppe project

15 Ways You Can Help Save Rainforest and Other Threatened Wildlife Habitats

Further information 

• Project updates
• Current work on the Ranch of Hopes
• Current financial requirements
• Background to the project: Saving the Patagonian Steppes
• Darwin and Patagonia: An extract from the journals of Charles Darwin who visited Patagonia in 1833.
• External link: Fundación Patagonia Natural - in Spanish

Watch David Bellamy in our Patagonia Video 

We have available a 30 second video clip featuring David Bellamy in Patagonia which includes the famous Orcas hunting in the surf. You can choose from two versions;

• Download video now (WMV 147 KB - Quick loading, low quality) (opens in new window)
• Download video now (MPEG 1.3MB - Slower loading, higher quality) (opens in new window)