Foto: Rigoberto Jofré para Rewilding Chile
Local communities launch campaign to prevent huemul roadkills in Cerro Castillo National Park
Residents have carried out two patrol operations in Cerro Castillo and Puerto Ingeniero Ibáñez to raise awareness among motorists about the importance of responsible driving on roads in the Aysén Region.
Residents of Villa Cerro Castillo and surrounding areas, together with members of CONAF and Fundación Rewilding Chile, are promoting the awareness campaign “If You Rush in Patagonia, You Kill Wildlife” to reinforce the call for responsible driving and prevent collisions with huemul deer and other species in Cerro Castillo National Park.
The campaign gained special urgency following a collision that caused the death of a huemul nicknamed “Valentín” in the Las Horquetas sector—an incident that deeply concerned the local community. Through patrols conducted in Villa Cerro Castillo and Puerto Ingeniero Ibáñez, residents have been providing drivers with information about the huemul’s conservation status and the main threats it faces.
Stephanie Golindano, local coordinator of the Amigos del Parque Nacional Cerro Castillo program of Fundación Rewilding Chile, explained that the campaign draws inspiration from the iconic phrase “If You Rush in Patagonia, You Lose Time,” adapting it to encourage drivers to respect speed limits within the national park. Guided by this conviction, the community designed the campaign message, organized roadside patrols—working even alongside Carabineros de Chile—created stickers to distribute to drivers, and produced radio segments that are now broadcast daily on municipal radio stations in Puerto Ibáñez and Cerro Castillo.
Francisca Calderón, a resident of Villa Cerro Castillo, highlighted: “Taking part in this campaign has been very special. We received an excellent response, and I was able to bring my son, who was very happy and aware of the importance of reducing speed inside the park. I also invite more people to join future campaigns, participate with their children, and continue building awareness in our community and among everyone who visits us.”
Lois Aguilar, a park ranger with CONAF, also emphasized the importance of community involvement: “My impression of the activity is that it was very positive to include the community, since they are the ones who regularly travel these roads. It’s important that they understand why speed reduction matters and what we are protecting.”
These collaborative efforts demonstrate how community engagement becomes a fundamental element in protecting the wildlife that inhabits Chile’s national parks.
“Taking part in this campaign has been very special. We received an excellent response, and I was able to bring my son, who was very happy and aware of the importance of reducing speed inside the park. I also invite more people to join future campaigns, participate with their children, and continue building awareness in our community and among everyone who visits us.”
Responsible Driving
The campaign reinforces key messages about responsible driving, reminding motorists that in protected areas the maximum speed limit is 60 km/h (37 mph). If a driver encounters a huemul on the road, they should reduce speed or stop the vehicle gradually; leave space for the animal to step back or cross calmly; if it approaches the vehicle, turn off the engine and allow it to move freely; observe from a distance without interfering with its natural behavior; and if the animal appears injured or disoriented, notify SAG or CONAF authorities.
Campaign Sticker Distribution Points:
- CONAF Office in Villa Cerro Castillo
- Villa Cerro Castillo Tourist Information Office
- La Montañita Outdoors (Laguna Chiguay sector, Cerro Castillo National Park)
- Patagonia store in Coyhaique
More details about the campaign are available on Instagram at @amigos_pn_cerrocastillo.