“Ready to explore a haven for rescued wildlife?” I ask. Today’s destination is ECAS. ECAS stands for Estación de Cría de Animales Silvestres. It is a Wildlife Breeding Station near La Plata. Many believe ECAS is in La Plata. Its specific location is in Berazategui. It is a few blocks from the border with La Plata.
ECAS is less than an hour from Buenos Aires. Keep in mind that a visit to ECAS requires a car. ECAS belongs to the Ministry of Agroindustry of the Government of the Province of Buenos Aires. It was created in 1971. Since then it has studied and conserved many animal species. It has reproduced native and exotic animals. Most came from the illegal wildlife trade.
At ECAS, you can take a tour by car. You can observe animals from your car window. You can photograph them too. You can also feed them. The tour ends in an area with animal enclosures. Here you can exit your car. There are paths to walk. There is also a picnic area and playground.
A large part of the ECAS visit is done by car. People are not allowed to walk in. Bikes and motorcycles are prohibited too. If it has rained, ECAS may be closed. This is due to the condition of the internal roads. It is recommended to call to check if it is open. The phone number is 0221 487-0920.
To get to ECAS by car, take the Buenos Aires – La Plata highway from CABA. Take the exit to Route 2 towards Mar del Plata. Get off at the Camino Centenario exit. Drive along Camino Centenario to kilometer 16. The signed entrance to ECAS is on the right.
ECAS is open Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from 10 AM to 6 PM. ECAS is closed during January. ECAS is also closed on rainy days. The internal roads become impassable. If it rained a lot the day before, the park may not open. It is best to call ahead.
After the ticket booth, enter the vehicle path. This path winds through 230 hectares of forests and grasslands. Different species inhabit this area. These include guanacos, red deer, axis deer, and fallow deer. You may also see Indian antelopes, buffaloes, and rheas. Many animals approach the windows. Visitors can photograph and feed them. Remember it is not allowed to get out of the vehicles here.
The path crosses a lagoon. This is home to aquatic turtles and ducks. You can also see otters and capybaras. Monkeys can be seen on an island in the lagoon. The tour ends at the recreation center. Here you can park your vehicle. You can explore cages and enclosures with rescued animals. These animals come from the illegal wildlife trade. You might spot peccaries and monkeys. You could see land turtles and parrots. Tucans and iguanas might be there too. You could see alligators and foxes. Maybe even a puma. There is a picnic area. There are also public restrooms, kiosks, and playgrounds. There is plenty of green space to enjoy.
Remember that pets are not allowed. Walking, bikes, and motorcycles are prohibited. Do not litter. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited. The speed limit is walking pace. It is about 10 km/h. Avoid overtaking other vehicles. Do not honk. If your vehicle breaks down, stay inside. Wait for ECAS personnel. In the cage area, do not cross the safety barriers.
ECAS also offers educational visits for schools. These take place from Monday to Friday. You must book an appointment for educational visits. Call 0221 4870920 or 0221 154186367. Call between 9 AM and 1 PM. You can also call between 2 PM and 4 PM.
ECAS began renovations in 2023. The goal is to improve the internal roads. ECAS aims to promote education. It wants to focus on environmental interpretation.
The educational circuit at ECAS includes various didactic proposals. These cover topics like pet ownership. It also covers the illegal wildlife trade. You’ll learn about using natural resources. Topics like deforestation are also discussed. You can discover soil erosion and biodiversity. The landscape serves as a teaching tool. You’ll see native animals. These include capuchin monkeys and howler monkeys. You might spot guanacos and vizcachas. You could see caranchos and burrowing owls. Neotropical macaws and talking parrots are present. You may see tegu lizards. You can learn about introduced species. You can discover their impact on native ecosystems. The populations of deer and buffalo offer insights.
The lagoon area is great for bird watching. You might see white-cheeked pintails and speckled ducks. You could spot black-headed ducks and ringed teals. Coots and roseate spoonbills are present. Southern lapwings and other birds live here. They reside temporarily or permanently in the water. Tegu lizards and weasels complete the scenery. Vizcachas roam freely around the grounds.
ECAS is more than just a zoo. It is a center for conservation. It is a place to learn about the importance of protecting our planet’s biodiversity. So, come visit ECAS and experience the wonders of Argentine wildlife.