The possible declaration of the guanaco (Lama guanicoe) as a “harmful species” to cattle farming in the southern Argentine region of Patagonia could lead to its extinction, warn conservationists and academics. A resolution regarding this native camelid species was presented by the legislature of the Patagonian province of Santa Cruz to the provincial government, which is now studying it.

Claudio Bertonatti, director of the Buenos Aires Zoo, told Tierramérica that the guanaco is a herbivore of key importance for the health of arid and semi-arid ecosystems like those found in the region, and also contributes to the area’s appeal to tourists.

“We understand that they compete with cattle for pastureland, but declaring the species harmful would mean allowing them to be hunted to the point of extinction. Next there could be similar resolutions against the South American grey fox or the puma,” he warned.