Argentina’s Sierra de Famatina mountain range is abundant in biodiversity and endemism. From lush lowlands and wetlands to soaring mountaintops of 20,500 feet elevation, the Famatina region provides the perfect home for threatened species including the Crowned Solitary Eagle (EN), Riojan Mountain Frog (EN) and the Andean Condor (VU).

This is the only place on Earth where the Famatina Chinchilla Rat is found. This small mammal is so elusive that its threatened status is yet to be discovered. This project will contribute to understanding the species’ habits and population status.

Habitat destruction and fragmentation resulting from mining and agriculture combined with unregulated tourism and hunting are the greatest threats to life here. Rainforest Trust and our local partner, Natura Argentina, are working to establish a new protected area of over 431,200 acres that will provide a vital refuge for the imperiled and unique species living here.

Header photo: The Vulnerable Andean Condor, by Fominaya Photo

Safeguard Rare and Beloved Species in a New Protected Area

In addition to the Crowned Eagle and the Condor, the landscape is home to the Taruca (VU), a mid-sized deer native to the Andes in South America. Much beloved, it has been declared a National Natural Monument to represent Argentina’s natural and cultural heritage.

The proposed protected area is one of the most important zones for endemic plants in Argentina. There are 28 resident endemic plants found here, including the Sacansa, a shrub in the daisy family, that grows on sandstone outcrops found in the Famatina range.

The area also lies within the historic range of the Andean Cat (EN). Similar in size to a common house cat, with fewer than 1,400 individuals remaining in Argentina, Bolivia and Chile, this feline is the most threatened cat in South America. Scientists will be placing camera traps to learn if the cat is able to re-establish a population here once the protected area is created.

Champion Local Communities’ Fight Against Mega-Mining

Rainforest Trust partner Natura Argentina has been working in the Sierra de Famatina region for more than eight years, engaging with community stakeholders, local NGOs and government officials to reach consensus on how they want to protect this territory. The creation of the Famatina protected area in Argentina is a historic opportunity to resolve the long-standing struggle of neighboring communities against mega-mining in this region.

Once the protected area is designated, eco- and cultural tourism livelihood programs will be developed with community members from the five municipalities around the proposed protected area.