Orientation

Puerto Deseado (15,000 inhabitants) is located in the Argentinean Patagonia, province of Santa Cruz, at the mouth of Rio Deseado in the Atlantic ocean. The estuary created by the river is invaded by the sea, so tidal changes are affecting a stretch of 40 km upstream. This phenomena is unique to South America and attracts a very large diversity of marine life. It is in this area that the provincial Nature Reserve of Ria Deseado was founded in 1977.

Fauna of the Ria Deseado

The estuary, its canyons and numerous islands provide a unique refuge and habitat for various flora and fauna. A significant number of species of birds and marine mammals can be found in the reserve, in particular: Commerson dolphins (Cephalorhynchus commersonii), Sea lions (Otaria flavescens), Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus), Red-legged cormorants (Phalacrocorax gaimardi), three species of terns and many other species of marine and land birds.

Isla Pinguino

25 km south to Puerto Deseado is the island of Isla Pinguino where a small colony of Rockhopper penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome) is nesting. Major colonies of Magellanic penguins and Skuas can also be found on the island.