Flora and Fauna

Iberá is a wonderland of biodiversity. Scattered open-water lagoons lie within an endless horizon of marshland grasses, aquatic plants, and embalsados (“floating islands”), which some ecologists have likened to tropical peat bogs. Even relatively large trees like the ceibo and laurel flourish here and in gallery forests along faster-flowing waters.

Biologists have catalogued over 40 species of mammals, 35 species of amphibians, 80 species of fish, and 250–300 species of birds. The most readily seen mammals are the carpincho (capybara), marsh deer, pampas deer, and mono carayá (howler monkey). Less easily seen are the lobito de río (Paraná otter) and the nocturnal aguará guazú (maned wolf).

Among the reptiles are two species of caimans, the rare yacaré overo and the more common yacaré negro. Australians take note: These skinny, two-meter creatures are not Queensland’s massive crocodiles, and do not pounce out of the swamps in search of human nourishment, though attempting to pet them is not advisable. The endangered water curiyú (water boa) is also present.

Birds species are too numerous to mention more than a sampling, but the signature species include the chajá (crested screamer), mbiguá común (olive cormorant), several species of storks, herons, and egrets as well as many waterfowl, including the endangered pato crestudo (comb duck).

Sights and Recreation

Iberá is a year-round destination, but the summer months can be brutally hot and humid, and rain can fall at any time. Activities include wildlife-watching, hiking on a gallery-forest nature trail, and horseback riding.

Launch tours on Arroyo Corrientes, which involve poling through floating islands where an outboard motor is useless, are available through all the hotels, and private guides as well. Canal Miriñay is an alternative that offers better wildlife viewing when the waters rise and wildlife may retreat to the interior of the embalsados.

Two-hour excursions, which cover a lot, begin in the US$18 pp range for one or two people, slightly less for larger groups. As some animals are nocturnal, nighttime tours are also available, especially under the full moon.

Rental canoes and kayaks are available, but kayaks are unsuitable for exploring the marshes, whose dense vegetation makes visibility poor—other than Pellegrini’s cell phone tower, this nearly featureless terrain has few landmarks, and you can’t stand up in a kayak to get your bearings.

José Martín’s Iberá Expediciones (tel. 03773/15-40-1405, www.iberaexpediciones.com) does after-dark and full-moon safaris along the Mercedes highway to view nocturnal wildlife.

Pellegrini now has a small museum, the Museo Yjára (Yangapiry and Yaguareté, 4–8 p.m. daily except Tues., free).

© Wayne Bernhardson from Moon Argentina, 3rd edition