Iberá

Iberá National Park protects Argentina's most extensive wetland system in the northeastern province of Corrientes. Established in 2018 through a landmark conservation agreement, this 1,583 square kilometer park encompasses vast marshes, floating islands, lagoons, and gallery forests that comprise the Iberá wetlands. The landscape features unique ecosystems shaped by seasonal flooding, with floating vegetation mats supporting diverse plant communities. These wetlands harbor exceptional wildlife including capybaras, caimans, marsh deer, and over 350 bird species. The park serves as the centerpiece of an ambitious rewilding program reintroducing locally extinct species including giant anteaters, jaguars, and giant otters. Traditional gaucho culture persists in surrounding areas, where communities have coexisted with wetlands for generations. The Iberá system acts as a natural water reservoir, regulating flows into the Paraná River system. This remarkable wetland complex represents one of South America's most significant recent conservation achievements.

Iberá hosts an extraordinary diversity of wildlife, including over 350 bird species, making it a premier birdwatching destination. Notable species include the jabiru stork, southern screamer, and various herons and ibises. The wetlands are home to significant populations of caiman, capybara (the world's largest rodent), and marsh deer. Through successful rewilding efforts, previously extinct species have been reintroduced, including giant anteaters, pampas deer, and collared peccaries. The park also supports healthy populations of howler monkeys, maned wolves, and numerous fish species. Recent conservation efforts have focused on reintroducing jaguars to restore the ecosystem's apex predator.

The park's vegetation is incredibly diverse, featuring over 1,700 plant species adapted to the wetland environment. Floating meadows of water hyacinths, water lilies, and aquatic grasses create intricate patterns across the water's surface. The embalsados (floating islands) support a unique ecosystem of vegetation, including tall grasses, rushes, and even trees. Along the higher ground, visitors can find gallery forests with characteristic species like lapacho, timbó, and ceibo trees. The grasslands are dominated by various species of pampa grass, while palm savannas featuring the iconic caranday palm create distinctive landscapes throughout the park.

The Iberá Wetlands formed approximately 15,000 years ago when tectonic movements altered the course of the Paraná River, creating a vast depression that filled with water. The landscape consists of a complex mosaic of marshes, floating islands (embalsados), grasslands, and forests sitting atop ancient river beds. The wetlands are primarily fed by rainwater rather than rivers, creating a unique hydrological system. The soil is predominantly sandy and acidic, with some areas featuring rich organic matter from decomposed aquatic vegetation. This geological formation creates a self-contained water system that maintains consistent water levels throughout the year.

Iberá National Park experiences a subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters. Average temperatures range from 15°C (59°F) in winter to 32°C (90°F) in summer. The region receives abundant rainfall throughout the year, with annual precipitation averaging 1,500mm (59 inches). The wettest months are typically March to May and October to December. Visitors should be prepared for sudden weather changes and afternoon thunderstorms, particularly in summer. High humidity levels are common year-round, making spring (September-November) and fall (March-May) the most comfortable seasons for visiting.

The Iberá Wetlands have been home to indigenous Guaraní people for thousands of years, with their name 'Iberá' meaning 'bright waters' in the Guaraní language. The area remained largely untouched until the 20th century when cattle ranching began to impact the landscape. In 1983, the region was declared a Natural Reserve, and in 2018, it was officially designated as a National Park through the efforts of Conservation Land Trust (now Rewilding Argentina). This initiative, led by Douglas and Kristine Tompkins, transformed former cattle ranches into protected areas, making it one of the largest conservation success stories in South America.

The Iberá wetlands remained relatively intact through much of the 20th century due to their remoteness and challenging terrain that limited agricultural development. However, hunting and habitat alteration led to local extinctions of several large mammal species. Conservation efforts gained momentum in the 1980s when the provincial government created the Iberá Provincial Reserve. A transformative moment came in the early 2000s when conservation philanthropists Doug and Kris Tompkins began purchasing land adjacent to the provincial reserve for conservation and rewilding. Following Doug Tompkins' death in 2015, the Tompkins Conservation organization donated over 150,000 hectares to the Argentine federal government to create Iberá National Park in 2018. This donation, combined with provincial lands, created one of Argentina's largest protected wetland systems. The park's establishment launched Latin America's most ambitious rewilding initiative, with systematic programs to reintroduce species that had disappeared from the region. These efforts aim to restore complete ecosystem functioning while demonstrating conservation's economic potential through nature-based tourism.

The park's most distinctive feature is its vast network of interconnected lagoons, marshes, and floating islands that create a unique wetland ecosystem covering over 1.3 million hectares. The Laguna Iberá, the largest water body within the park, offers excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing and boat tours. The Carambola Canyon provides a rare elevated viewpoint over the wetlands. The park features several visitor centers, including the Centro de Interpretación in Carlos Pellegrini, which offers educational exhibits about the ecosystem. The extensive network of waterways allows for unique kayaking and boat tours, while elevated walkways provide access to otherwise inaccessible areas. The park is also known for its stunning sunrises and sunsets over the wetlands, creating spectacular photography opportunities.

The park maintains visitor centers at key access points including Cambyretá and San Nicolás, offering information on wetland ecology and rewilding programs. Boat tours provide the primary way to explore the wetlands, with local guides navigating channels and lagoons while interpreting wildlife and ecosystems. Horseback riding with gaucho guides offers authentic cultural experiences while accessing areas unsuitable for vehicles. The park features several lodges and campsites, including facilities operated by local communities. Wildlife watching focuses on reintroduced species and abundant wetland birds. The park is accessible year-round, though water levels vary seasonally, affecting access to some areas. Spring and summer offer optimal conditions for wildlife observation. The nearby towns of Mercedes and Colonia Carlos Pellegrini provide tourist services. The park actively promotes community-based tourism, with local residents trained as guides and lodge operators. Educational programs explain rewilding concepts and conservation goals. Visitor experiences emphasize conservation success stories, allowing guests to witness ecosystem recovery in action.

Conservation management centers on the comprehensive rewilding program systematically reintroducing locally extinct species. Teams carefully prepare animals through pre-release conditioning, then monitor their adaptation and breeding success post-release. Jaguar reintroduction represents the program's apex, with the species absent from the region for decades now establishing breeding populations. Giant anteater and giant otter programs have successfully released animals that are reproducing in the wild. The park maintains extensive camera trap networks monitoring wildlife populations and movements. Habitat restoration addresses areas degraded by livestock grazing, with native vegetation recovering as cattle are removed. The park works closely with surrounding communities to prevent human-wildlife conflict as predators return to the landscape. Research programs examine how reintroduced species affect ecosystem structure and function. Climate resilience benefits from maintaining hydrological connectivity across the wetland complex. The park demonstrates conservation at landscape scale, with protection extending beyond park boundaries through community engagement and sustainable land use planning. Educational initiatives share rewilding lessons with conservation programs worldwide.