The fur trade, motivated by economic interests, has forced the
Chinchilla lanigera to the brink of extinction. The wild populations were harvested over a prolonged period of time at a higher rate than the species' reproduction rate. So the extensive human-caused mortality has
to be added to the natural mortality factors. Furthermore the people living in the urbane surroundings were not interested in protecting the species due to the reason that these was for no interest, neither personal
nor economic, for them. Even today most of the people living near the RNC (Reserva Nacional Las Chinchillas) have never seen a chinchilla.
The German-Chilean project ChinChorro was therefore founded to teach young
students of the near the reserve located town Illapel (Chile) about the chinchillas to increase future's chance of success that the those students will have a personal interest protecting an animal which is
about to extinct. Another target is to teach the students to respect the natural environment as we all depend on it.
(Photo: The ChinChorro students, the Chilean leader of the group Laura Araya Solís and a volunteer from the University of Chile, Wladimir Givovich Diaz, in September 2004.)
The number of students taking part in the project is now 15. In September 27 students had their
first classes about the wild living chinchillas to be well prepared during their first excursion to the RNC. Near the reserve CONAF (National Chilean Forrest Service) had reserved a place in
order to make it possible for the students to plant about 3000 native seedlings. By planting native seed stock they will learn more about the region's nature, CONAF's co-workers are
willing to teach them about the importance of those plants animals living in the reserve depend on.
The students are very motivated. They suggested to work on a regular paper for the students at
their school, also they want to teach other students about the wild chinchillas as soon as they are well educated about chinchillas.
As there is a urgent need for the reserve to grow because of the existence of colonies of wild living chinchillas outside the protected area where mining and human settlement endanger the
animals it is also our target to motivate tourists to come to Chile in order to spend their holidays in the region around the reserve. An English teacher will be able to guide those environmental
tourists who are interested in a special kind of vacation, and a nearby located travel agency is interested in a increasing number of tourists. A soft natural tourism can cause a positive
influence for both, the reserve and the people living near the reserve.
Click here to see the first project photos!
You want to support the project? Click here to learn more about how you can help!
Do not forget to visit our ChinChorro Online Store where you can buy articles on which you can
see the project’s coat of arms! Feel free to sign up for the shop’s monthly newsletter.
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