The Hooded grebe (Podiceps gallardoi), a symbol of wild Patagonia, is a critically endangered species with only 800 individuals left in the world. It is found exclusively in the high-altitude basaltic plateau lagoons in the west of Santa Cruz, Argentina. During the winter, when these lagoons freeze over, it migrates to the Atlantic coast, staying in the Coyle river estuary and the estuaries of the Gallegos river and Chico-Santa Cruz.
The Hooded Grebe Project was launched in 2010 as an urgent conservation effort due to the increasing difficulty in finding the species and a significant population decline. Whatsmore, thanks to the urgency and after a lengthy stretch of fundraising and political work, a team of conservationist organizations managed to create Patagonia National Park in order to protect the environment that the Hooded grebe depends on.
Since then, the project has been working to generate information on its behavior, reproductive biology, genetic structure, and especially the impact of threats it faces. These research efforts provided the first tools that allowed the project to begin conservation actions and direct population management as early as 2011. The first step was the establishment of the “Colony Guardians” program, aimed at maximizing nest survival (by protecting them from the impact of the Kelp Gull) and minimizing the predation of adults and juveniles by the American mink (Neovison vison). In those early years, the project began incorporating CONICET researchers from other institutions. This broader approach enabled the development of American mink control plans and the rainbow trout management plan to restore critical lagoons for the Hooded Grebe.
In the last few years, the project began a cutting edge program of ex-situ breeding for the species. The method is basically recovering ecologically “lost” eggs (i.e., eggs that do not hatch in the wild), rearing them in captivity and eventually releasing them when they reach migration age, in order to ultimately strengthen the total population.
Working in one of the harshest environments on the planet, it is truly inspiring to experience the passion with which this team has committed its mission to try and save this precious animal from becoming extinct. WAW believes that the importance of this initiative lies in the fact that it’s not just about the species itself, but about the work being put into protecting the whole environment that the species depends on, which is rich in biodiversity and very particular in its geographical and cultural features.
As part of our collaboration with the project, WAW proudly produced a short-documentary for it to promote the conservation efforts and long-term vision.
Discover more about their work by visiting their site and their social media.
