NATURAL RESERVES

A NATURAL RESERVE is an area, generally small-sized, whose special characteristic is the presence native species of flora and fauna or by the existence of relevant geological sites, from the scenery, cultural, educational or scientific point of view.

NATURAL RESERVE LOS PINGUINOS

Located in the Magellan Strait, 35 km. north of Punta Arenas, this protected wild area was created in August of 1966 as National Park and reclassified as natural reserve in 1982. Its aim is to protect the bird life of the place, penguins, cormorants, southern Chile penguin colonies, whose population is estimated in 60,000 couples of Magellan penguins (Sphenicus Magallanicus), which means more than the 95 per cent of the bird life biomass. To reach this reserve is necessary a 2 hours approx. Navigation by the Strait.


NATURAL RESERVE LAGUNA DE LOS CISNES

The natural reserve Laguna de los Cisnes (swan's lagoon) is located in Porvenir, Tierra del Fuego. There also are here colonies of beautiful flamingoes and other birds.


NATURAL RESERVE CUEVA DEL MILODON

Declared historical monument in 1968 and in process of being declared national reserve, it is located at 3 km. from Eberhard fiord and 24 km. north of Puerto Natales. .

This natural reserve is formed by three caves and a rocky conglomeration named "Silla del Diablo" (devil's chair). The biggest of these caves is 150 meters above sea level and its measures are 30 meters high, 50 meters wide and 200 meters depth.

The scientific interest of the place is owed to the finding, in 1896, of hide, bones and other rests of an extinct animal, the MILODON (Mylodon darwini), a herbivore of big size extinguished probably a the end of the Pleistocene.

According to some investigations, the Milodon live at least 5,000 years ago along with other animals such as the Midget Horse, the sabre-toothed tiger and the Great Guanaco named Macraucheria. The Tourism Service, after an investigation of the existing records of the Milodon, made a reproduction of natural size of this herbivore, which is in display in the cave were the rests were found.l.

Source: SERNATUR Magallanes