Perito Moreno National Park (Spanish: Parque Nacional Perito Moreno) is a national park in Argentina. It is situated in the western part of Santa Cruz Province, near the border with Chile. The park covers an area of 126,830 hectares (313,400 acres) and includes mountains and valleys at an elevation of 900 meters (3,000 feet) above sea level.
History
The park is one of the oldest in Argentina and was created in 1937. It is named after the explorer Francisco Moreno.
In 2013, the park was expanded through a donation from Tompkins Conservation. Doug Tompkins, a co-founder of Tompkins Conservation, first became interested in Perito Moreno National Park in 1968 during a climbing trip. He saw Cerro San Lorenzo, Patagonia’s second-highest mountain, during this visit. In 1991, he visited the park with friends Yvon Chouinard and Rick Ridgeway. The next year, he arranged to buy about 15,000 hectares (37,000 acres) of private land within the park. His organization managed this land as a habitat for wildlife and allowed nature to recover. This land was donated to the national parks administration in 2013.
Geography
The park has a cold climate that changes from wet in the west to dry in the east. Strong and constant winds blow from the west all year. The average yearly rainfall is 3,000 mm (120 in) in the west and 400 mm (16 in) in the east. Winter temperatures can drop below −25 °C (−13.0 °F). In summer, the average temperature is about 15 °C (59.0 °F). Snow can fall in every month of the year.
Terrain
The park is located at about 900 meters (3,000 feet) above sea level, which is the elevation where valleys are found. A series of mountain ranges cross the park from east to west and from north to south, forming a shape that looks like a large amphitheater. Inside the protected area, the highest point is Cerro Heros (Heros Hill) at 2,770 meters (9,090 feet). Near the park, but outside its boundaries, is Cerro San Lorenzo (Monte San Lorenzo), which rises to 3,707 meters (12,162 feet) and is often covered by clouds. To the north of Lake Belgrano is Cerro Leon (Lion Hill), reaching 1,380 meters (4,530 feet), and to the east of the same lake is Gorra de Vasco (Basque Peak), which reaches 1,140 meters (3,740 feet). Within the park, the Sierra Colorada (Red Plain) is notable. It is about 1,200 meters (3,900 feet) high, with a steep western slope and a color that gives it its name.
Two main basins are identified: one on the Pacific side and the other on the Atlantic side. These basins include eight lakes, such as Lake Belgrano, along with many rivers and streams.
The Pacific basin flows into Lago Mogote (Lake Mogote), which then moves into Lago Volcán (Lake Volcano).
The Atlantic basin includes Lago Burmeister (Lake Burmeister) at 932 meters (3,058 feet). The rivers in this basin run through the Santa Cruz province and eventually reach the Atlantic Ocean to the east.
Flora and fauna
There are 24 mammal species found in the park. The most unusual and endangered species is the small wildcat called gato pajero (Lynchailurus pajeros). Another small wildcat in the park is the gato huiña (Oncifelis guigna), which is also endangered.
Other mammals in the park include guanaco, puma (cougar), Patagonian fox, dwarf armadillo, ferret, skunk, tuco-tuco, and south Andean deer.
One hundred fifteen bird species have been recorded in the park. These include peregrine falcon, hooded grebe, flamingo, andean goose, Podiceps, and several types of ducks, falcons, and eagles.