CORRIENTES, NATURAL RESERVE OF IBERÁ.
The
Esteros and lagoons of the IBERÁ and the
ecosystems that compose it, represent one the richest biological areas of our country, an ideal place to observe the nature and enjoy the life outdoors.
THE ESTEROS OF THE IBERÁ, ZONE RESERVES
The ecological reserve of the Ibera was created in 1983 by the law Nº3771. With the objective to preserve the reserve, at the moment, Corrientes is taking ahead the international proceedings for the
declaration of world humanity patrimony.
NATURAL RESERVE OF
IBERÁ
.
An extencion of 1.400.000 hectares, the Esteros of the Ibera, is the second one of South America and one of the most important fresh water reserves of the world. Old canals of the Paraná river formed a complex humidity network composed by swamps, lagoons, creeks, and pluvial courses.
The great fresh water reserve.
Esteros is a water tank with a depth that varies between 1 and 3 meters, covered by aquatic plants and a very rich variety of animals species. The pluvial precipitations contribute between 1200 and 1500
millimeters of water per year, the Ibera acts as a true regulating dam, that retains part of the water, deriving approximately a 20% of it to the Parana river through the Corriente river. The little floating islands formed by dust accumulation on the framework of camalotes (aquatic flora), makes possible the growth of
different plants and of trees. At times of abundant rains, the lowest zones accumulate water, forming new little lagoons.
A
singular vegetation.
Speaking about our flora, there is a great variety of trees like espinilllo, lapacho, yatay palm, jacaranda, orchids and mburucuya. It is composed by two types of aquatic plants: those that arise from the
bottom and the floating formations that covers the surface of the water like camalote, these formations originates floating islands that move guided by the wind and flow. The beauty of the Ibera is enriched by an abundant amount of irupes, neufares, lentejas, repollitos, lirios, water jacinths, and small ferns.
A varied fauna in its natural habitat.
In the reserve it is possible to observe a rich and varied fauna integrated by yacares, capybaras, swamp deers and other species of the zone.
Carlos Pellegrini Colony.
Who visit the Ibera, can do base in Colonia Carlos Pellegrini, declared an ecological village, lodging in smalls hostels or the municipal camping. You can arrive to Colonia C. Pellegrini by the route 40 from
the city of Mercedes.
Their habitants render diverse services to the tourist, as guided visits in canoes and the villagers explain the mysteries of the Ibera.
Interpretation Center.
Located on the edge of the lagoon and offers indispensable activities to take a better advantage of the visit.
The habitants of the zone were capacitated for working in the maintent of the reserv, offerring advises to the visitors and preserving different animal species from predation.
Offer graphical and audio-visual material whit information about the geography, flora and fauna of the region.
Opened circuits trough the natural forest, allow to watch difrents species of flora and fauna, in organized and signed circuits.
HABITANTS OF THE IBERA 
Yacare
There are two varieties. The ñato and the black. The disposition of the eyes, ears and nose allows him to swim almost completely submerged and be unnoticed by its prey and predators. It advances trough
the water impelled by the tail. In the land usually crawls with the belly hardly separated from the ground. Although, it can straighten up on its members and move at a remarkable speed. Yacares takes near 2 years in reaching the 30 cm and a few more to achieve the mature. The mature ones reach the weigh of 50 kilos..JPG)
Swamp Deer
It is the greatest deer of South America. Its height reaches 1.20 meters and their weight reach between 100 and 150 kilos in the adults. Its habitat are the lagoons with abundant vegetation that serves
him as food. In spite of its size and weight it crosses lagoons at a great speed and without sinking thanks to the adaptation of his opened fingers.
Capybara
Mammalian of aquatic habits. The capybara never moves away from the water, of which depends to bath, drink and also to refuge itself. Like all rodents, it has powerful incisors and are fundamentally herbívorous. The adults weigh 50 kilos and live in herds.
Caraya emits its characteristic shout looking for to intimidate any possible enemy.
.JPG)
They are specially adapted to the life in the trees, where they live and sleep. Its long prensil tail serves like fifth
member of its body to facilitate the balance and the displacement. The species are remarkably social and form complex groups or clans.
THE ESTEROS OF THE IBERÁ 