Help recover Rheas population in Chilean Patagonia

The Darwin's Rhea plays a crucial role as a seed disperser in the Patagonian steppe, but its population has been nearly extinct in the Aysén region due to various challenges. Decades of overgrazing, excessive hunting, canine predation, and nest destruction have left the local rhea population extremely small and isolated, making it difficult for them to recover on their own. In response to this critical situation, our Rhea Breeding Center was established in 2014 with the goal of accelerating the species' recovery and restoring the natural balance in the Patagonian steppe ecosystem.

In March 2023, we welcomed 17 "charitos" (rhea chicks) from our strategic collaborator, Quimán Reserve. After two months of acclimatization and care at our breeding center, we successfully released these young rheas into the Patagonia National Park. This important step marks the beginning of their journey towards exploration and expansion in the wild, and it contributes to our ongoing efforts to bolster the population of this emblematic bird in the Patagonian Steppe.

We are deeply grateful for your continued support and belief in our mission to protect and restore the unique biodiversity of Patagonia. Together, we are making a tangible difference for these remarkable creatures and their fragile habitat. Your contributions are making a lasting impact on the future of the Darwin's Rhea and the entire Patagonian ecosystem.

Thank you for being a part of this journey of hope.

Links:

• New release of 17 darwin's rhea chicks at Patagonia National Par

Today was a special day for Puesto Choique, located in the heart of the Chacabuco Valley in Patagonia National Park, Chile. The morning dawned clear, with a cold wind (standard for the season), and the six adult rheas at the breeding center were active, grazing, and attentive to their surroundings. That day, Douglas and Alas, two adult reproductive males, were taken to the handling pen and put in transport boxes specially made for each one of them. In two vehicles of the Rewilding Chile Foundation, plus the escort of a police automobile from the Baker police border, they left the breeding center after eight years. Both arrived at the center as baby rheas of approximately three months of age. When they reached adulthood, they began their natural reproductive processes, and during all these years, they allowed us to observe, learn, and be amazed by their social behaviors and wonderful parenting skills.

Letting them go was necessary. The opportunity to be parents in another place not only allows a new home for them but also brings their Patagonic genes and uniqueness.

The flight from the Cochrane aerodrome took them almost three hours to land at Osorno airport, and from there, they traveled by road to the commune of Futrono, where the Quimán Reserve Breeding Center is located. There, in a new environment, new individuals of the same species were waiting for them, with whom they will interact in the hope of new births.

That same day, in the same plane that would take these males to Quiman, 17 charitos from the last breeding season of the Quiman Reserve traveled to Cochrane airdrome. In the same way, they were placed in transport boxes very early in the morning. Their arrival at the breeding center was in the afternoon. We were anxiously waiting for them.
The opening of the four transport boxes allowed the 17 charitos to move, eat and drink after a long journey. They all arrived active, although somewhat disconcerted by the environment.

The flight of Douglas, Alas, and the 17 charitos is a drop of water in an ocean and a beautiful surrealist image. Birds that do not fly furrowed in flight the Patagonia to keep on a light that fights against a species's extinction.

I do not deny my mixed emotions, the deep sadness of seeing them leave flooded me. However, I also hold on to the feeling of joy of knowing that they have the opportunity to continue doing what they do best: being males, being Rheas, and being fathers.

Links:

• http://www.rewildingchile.org