The guanaco (Lama guanicoe), the largest terrestrial mammal in Chile, once numbered in the tens of millions in South America. Today, only 300 of these iconic camelids remain in the wild in Chile’s Central Andes. This month, a diverse coalition took a big step toward recovering the herbivore, which plays an important ecological role in maintaining the health of grasslands.
Sixteen guanacos from a private estate in the Valparaiso Region have arrived at three nature sanctuaries, marking the start of a groundbreaking process in Chile: the creation of guanaco breeding centers that will lead to their subsequent release. This initiative is part of a long-term public-private program to repopulate guanacos in the Metropolitan Region of the Andes. Planned releases in strategic areas will complement the natural expansion and growth of existing wild populations in the region.
The goal is not only to repopulate guanacos in the region, but also to restore mountain ecosystems, strengthen nature-based tourism, and improve scientific data through monitoring, population censuses, and the identification and management of threats. All this falls under the concept of rewilding—active management for the ecosystem restoration.
Cristián Saucedo, Director of Wildlife at Rewilding Chile, describes the road to recovering this species in Central Chile.
Guanacos Translocation
A few years ago, the idea of translocating guanacos to central Chile seemed distant. I never imagined I’d be part of an unprecedented action to repopulate this species. But rewilding, by its nature, is about timing and opportunity. Anyone can have ideas, but it takes the right conditions to make them real. Rewilding Chile had long considered working with guanacos in central Chile, recognizing the ecological need, but action only became possible when several factors aligned: our experience in Valle Chacabuco, where guanacos returned naturally after livestock removal, and the creation of a collaborative network of committed organizations to develop such initiative.
When the guanaco returns to an ecosystem, it doesn’t just fill an empty space — it transforms it. In sanctuaries where livestock had been removed, such as Cruz de Piedra, guanacos began to repopulate naturally. Their presence allowed the return of predators like pumas, which in turn helped regulate populations and provided food for scavengers. This is the essence of rewilding: restoring the natural and complex interactions that sustain entire ecosystems.
A Collaboration Network
Bringing this project to life meant connecting the right people at the right moment. The Network of Nature Sanctuaries had already envisioned repopulating guanacos in the metropolitan region through three breeding centers, and they teamed up with experts from the University of Chile, including Dr. Benito González, chair of the South American Camelid Specialist Group of the IUCN. The Regional Government of Santiago joined in, lending support and ensuring the project aligned with local priorities. At the same time, Sopraval, a private company, offered 16 guanacos that had been part of a planned breeding center for a textile initiative.
Relocating the guanacos to this region presented an opportunity for a meaningful ecological impact. Through shared purpose and careful planning, these efforts came together, forming a strong network, the Network of Nature Sanctuaries, the University of Chile, the Regional Government, and Rewilding Chile, that set the stage for the long-term recovery of guanacos in the region.
Translocation Day
From a rewilding perspective, the recovery of guanacos in central Chile carries significance far beyond the species itself. Five hundred years ago, guanacos numbered in the millions across the Andes and much of South America. Their disappearance reduced ecological complexity: fewer predators, fewer condors, fewer interactions among plants and insects, all altering the ecosystem’s structure. The guanaco is a keystone species, one whose disproportionate influence helps restore entire ecological networks, from predators to grasslands. Each reintroduction represents not just repopulation, but the reconnection of a fragmented ecosystem.
The day of the translocation was a mix of meticulous planning and adapting to the unexpected. We began early at Sopraval’s facility, loading males in one truck and females and juveniles in another. Every step was critical — ensuring animal safety, transport logistics, and team coordination. In Tiltil, the animals adapted quickly, curiously exploring their new surroundings. In Lagunillas and Cascada, where access was tougher, we anesthetized them and moved them individually by stretcher and ATV. The operation in Lagunillas lasted until midnight, but seeing the guanacos settle into their new habitat made every effort worthwhile.
Personally, this action carried deep meaning. Moving guanacos is only part of rewilding; the greater challenge lies in aligning people, goals, and collaboration among diverse partners. This effort symbolizes Rewilding Chile’s approach: working together to restore entire ecosystems, fostering networks of cooperation that can be replicated for other species and landscapes.
The vision guiding this work is the Andean Corridor–a continental initiative that recognizes that ecosystems and species know no political boundaries. From Patagonia towards the north the Andes connect wetlands, pumas, guanacos, condors, and other key species. This perspective allows us to replicate lessons, share experiences, and build functional conservation areas where animals can once again fulfill their ecological roles and ecosystems regain their resilience.
Rewilding
Rewilding is not only about restoring nature in remote areas; it’s also about reconnecting people with their surroundings. Guanacos, as ambassador species, create an emotional link that helps people understand the importance of conserving and restoring ecosystems. Watching these animals thrive reminds us that every species has a role, that nature works as a connected system, and that our choices can either accelerate or reverse degradation.
Even in daily life, that connection with nature remains constant. Observing birds, plants, and ecosystems — urban or rural — reveals opportunities for action. Every intervention, from planting native trees to making sustainable choices, contributes to a holistic approach to conservation and rewilding. Restoration is not only physical; it’s also cultural and educational. Each reintroduced species — every guanaco, puma, or condor, is a bridge toward more functional and resilient ecosystems.
Rewilding is not just a concept, it’s a practice that combines science, cooperation, passion, and patience. The recovery of guanacos in central Chile shows that with vision, collaboration, and persistence, it is possible to reverse centuries of degradation, restore ecological interactions, and create a positive impact reflected in landscapes, communities, and biodiversity. Each translocation or recovering species is a reminder that nature can return and that human commitment is essential to make it happen sustainably.
The pilot guanaco project in central Chile is a tangible example of how rewilding integrates logistics, biology, institutional cooperation, and passion for the natural world. The story of each animal, each challenge overcome, and each recovering ecosystem reflects the power of well-coordinated collaborative action. Beyond its technical success, it sends a hopeful message: ecological restoration is possible — even in human-transformed landscapes — when guided by science, respect, and long-term vision.
Cristián Saucedo is the Wildlife Director at Rewilding Chile. Born in Santiago, he grew up in Brazil before returning to Chile to study veterinary medicine at the Universidad de Chile. Cristián leads Rewilding Chile’s Wildlife program, which includes monitoring various species in Patagonia National Park and other projects along the Route of Parks of Patagonia. He joined the team in 2005 and lives in Coyhaique, where he continues his work restoring ecosystems and reintroducing key species to their native habitats. Image by Roman Cho.
Additional Resources
- Rewilding Chile Website
- “16 huge animals just turned up on the outskirts of Santiago. Here’s why” – BBC Wildlife
Rewildology Episodes
- Patagonia Update: Helicopter Discoveries and Conservation Breakthroughs with Cristian Saucedo
- Special Episode! Rewilding Chilean Patagonia with Carolina Morgado
- Where Ranches Rewild: From Estancia to Patagonia National Park
- Where Two Oceans Meet: The Birth of Cape Froward National Park
Key Facts Summary
- Current Population: Only 300 guanacos remain in the wild in Chile’s Central Andes (down from tens of millions historically)
- Species: Guanaco (Lama guanicoe) – largest terrestrial mammal in Chile and a keystone species
- Recent Action: 16 guanacos translocated from a private estate in Valparaiso Region to 3 nature sanctuaries
- Project Goal: Establish breeding centers for subsequent release and repopulation in the Metropolitan Region of the Andes
- Collaborative Partners: Network of Nature Sanctuaries, University of Chile, Regional Government of Santiago, Rewilding Chile, and Sopraval (private company)
- Key Expert: Dr. Benito González, chair of the South American Camelid Specialist Group of the IUCN
- Ecological Impact: Guanaco recovery helps restore predator-prey relationships (pumas), benefits scavengers (condors), and maintains grassland health
- Broader Vision: Part of the Andean Corridor initiative – a continental conservation effort connecting ecosystems from Patagonia northward
- Historical Decline: 500 years of habitat degradation and hunting reduced populations by over 99%
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is a guanaco? The guanaco (Lama guanicoe) is a wild South American camelid and Chile’s largest native terrestrial mammal. Historically, tens of millions roamed the Andes and South America.
Why are guanacos important? Guanacos are a keystone species that maintain grassland health, support predator populations like pumas, provide food for scavengers like condors, and create vital ecological interactions between plants, insects, and other animals.
What is rewilding? Rewilding is the active restoration of ecosystems by reintroducing native species and allowing natural processes to resume, restoring the ecological complexity that sustains healthy environments.
Why are there only 300 guanacos left in Central Chile? Five hundred years of hunting, habitat loss, livestock competition, and human development reduced populations from millions to just 300 individuals in Chile’s Central Andes.
What is the goal of this project? To establish breeding centers that will release guanacos back into the wild, restore mountain ecosystems, strengthen nature-based tourism, and improve scientific monitoring of the species.
Who is involved in this effort? The Network of Nature Sanctuaries, University of Chile, Regional Government of Santiago, Rewilding Chile, and Sopraval are collaborating on this public-private conservation initiative.
