Carlos Anwandter Nature Sanctuary

Carlos Anwandter Nature Sanctuary
Santuario de la naturaleza Carlos Anwandter
Map showing the location of Carlos Anwandter Nature Sanctuary
Map of Chile
Location Los Ríos Region, Chile
Nearest city Valdivia
Coordinates 39°42′14″S 73°11′20″W / 39.704°S 73.189°W / -39.704; -73.189[1]Coordinates: 39°42′14″S 73°11′20″W / 39.704°S 73.189°W / -39.704; -73.189[2]
Area 4,877 ha (12,050 acres)
Established 1981
Designated 27 July 1981

Carlos Anwandter Nature Sanctuary (Spanish: Santuario de la naturaleza Carlos Anwandter) is protected wetland in Cruces River about 15 km (9 mi) north of Valdivia, Chile. The sanctuary is named after the German politician Carlos Anwandter who settled in Valdivia during the 1850s. The wetlands in the sanctuary are inhabited by many bird species including Black-necked Swans.

Pollution controversy

In 2004, the Valdivia Pulp Mill was opened in San José de la Mariquina located 25 km (16 mi) northeast near Cruces River. The emblematic Black-necked Swans started at that time to die and migrate. Ecologists and people from the university UACh in Valdivia accused the forestry enterprise CELCO to being polluting the river. The pulp mill was forced to close while the case was investigated . Even in 2006, the Latin American water tribunal recommended to close down the mill .

As of November 2008, the case against CELCO was still being debate in court. In the mean time, other hypotheses have been proposed to explain the dramatic decrease of the swan's population.

See also

References

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