The NGO Ambá bought three private islands located in the Uruguay River this Wednesday, as disclosed by the organization itself. The territories are part of the Esteros de Farrapos National Park and the Uruguay River Islands, and, As indicated by Ambá, “a donation to the State is planned to strengthen the implementation of this protected area.”
The acquisition was carried out within the framework of the Uruguay River Green Islands and Canals Project, which also included the purchase of three other islands in the Uruguay River, but which are under Argentine jurisdiction, at the end of 2021.
100% of the funds for the purchase of the islands were donated by the philanthropic conservation society Butler Conservation, which belongs to the American magnate Gilbert Butler. The non-profit Wildlife Conservation Society of Argentina, The Nature Conservancy, Banco de Bosques “work together with local governments and managed the acquisition and donation of the islands in both countries, the design of the corridor, the strengthening of infrastructure and the capacities for the effective management of the areas”, indicates the document released by the organization.
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Islands in the Uruguay River
“Through the initiative, we seek to consolidate a biocultural corridor of protected areas to contribute to the conservation of their species and habitatsto its capacity to respond to climate change and to the sustainable development of tourist, educational and scientific activities linked to its conservation, and that will benefit more than half a million people who live in the area”, said the executive director of Ambá, Maximiliano Costa, who, when asked about the cost of the purchase, preferred not to provide details in this regard.
This geographical area is home to 41% of the 2,450 plant species described in Uruguay. In addition, the presence of the maned wolf, a carnivorous mammal, considered to be the largest canid in South America, which is in danger of extinction, has also been documented in the area of the corridor.
Millionaire philanthropist Butler is a kayaking octogenarian who toured the Uruguay River with the President of the Republic Luis Lacalle Pou in January of this year.
