A behind the scenes look with Emiliano Donadio into the science of nature restoration and rewilding. Welcome to one of the world’s most ambitious conservation projects: Iberá National Park.
This journey combines tracking the rewilding of endemic wildlife with fireside chats about the biodiversity of this rare and globally significant ecosystem.
Your journey begins with a night soaking in the colourful and intoxicating city of Buenos Aires before flying north to Corrientes province, the gateway to the Iberá wetlands. The following six nights you will be immersed in the wilderness of locally-run lodges. Days are spent alongside biologists and Kristine Tompkins, monitoring wildlife including giant anteaters, deer, jaguar and macaws. You will explore the vast plains by kayak, on foot and horseback. Early mornings will be spent birdwatching and evenings enjoying hearty asados, sharing stories with conservationists and fellow guests, sundowner in hand. You will have the opportunity to observe the ecosystem through a scientific lens, and grow your insights and ideas for potential replicable solutions for nature restoration.
Sometimes called “the Argentine Pantanal,” Iberá is one of the planet’s largest freshwater wetlands, covering more than 3.2 million acres of grasslands and marsh in Corrientes Province of northeastern Argentina. It is home to 30% of the country’s biodiversity including endangered species.
The host for your journey is Emiliano Donadio, science director of the Iberá project and responsible for leading the successful reintroduction of species.
The Science Director at Fundación Rewilding Argentina
PhD in Ecology
Argentina’s National Scientific and Technical Research Council
With a bachelors degree and an MSc in zoology, a PhD in ecology and awarded the prestigious Fulbright fellowship, Emilio Donadio returned to Argentina to study its significant native wildlife and plant species. In 2008 he received a grant from National Geographic for conserving the last of the wild pumas and camelids in the semiarid landscapes of the Argentinean Andes. He received a second grant in 2018 for his work conserving the last south American ungulate migrations, the guanaco in the Andes.
Emiliano possesses a strong belief in the significance of this rare and vanishing ecosystem. His passion for nature with an extensive knowledge of species restoration is the driving force behind Iberá.
this is a rare opportunity for a private group of six to fourteen guests to be immersed in a leading conservation project
price on request
Boutique Hotel
Airport Transfers
Full-board
Beverages
Internal Flights to Corrientes
Transfer Flights over Iberá
Daily Experiences at Iberá
25 SEPTEMBER – 2 OCTOBER 2022
Limited availability
Travel subject to application
This extraordinary wetland, the largest in Argentina, is home to 30% of the biodiversity in the country including endangered species such as the pampas and marsh deer, the maned wolf and grassland birds like the strange-tailed tyrant.
In 2005, what was to become one of the largest rewilding programs in the Americas was started, with the goal of restoring keystone species that had been extirpated from Iberá through hunting and habitat loss and were extinct in the region, the Province or, in some cases, the country.
As the rewilding program developed, the cultural identity of Iberá began to recover alongside the ecosystems and natural processes, impacting a total population of 100,000 people who surround the park.
Today, Iberá stands as one of the world’s most successful ongoing conservation missions.