Complejo Ecológico de América

The Complejo Ecológico de América (ECO de América) is a wildlife rescue centre, shelter and conservation complex located in the city of América, in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. It sits within the Vivero Forestal "Francisco Pascasio Moreno" and occupies approximately 40 of the nursery's 354 hectares. The complex houses a diverse collection of animals, including reptiles, big cats such as lions, tigers and pumas, and a hippopotamus, alongside many other species of Argentine wildlife. The institution describes itself as a refuge for wildlife where every animal has a story. Many of the animals arrived injured, abandoned or rescued from illegal trafficking, and today they form part of the complex's family. Its mission combines conservation, rehabilitation and environmental education, aiming not only to protect species but also to give every visitor a different relationship with Argentine nature. ECO de América is a non-profit entity recognised as an Entidad de Bien Público (Public Benefit Entity) and designated an Organización de Interés Municipal by the local council. It is led by founder and director Adelmar Funk, a biology teacher with more than three decades of experience in the management of zoos and reserves, supported by a team of professionals including specialist wildlife veterinarian Dr. Carlos Tucat. The complex has grown substantially since its origins in the late 1980s. Over more than three decades it has developed major infrastructure including enclosures for brown bears, a hippopotamus, a lion savannah, a condor habitat and a serpentarium. In 2017 it inaugurated the artificial mountain stream "Río Escondido", which functions as a bathing area within the ECO. Today it operates as both a conservation and visitor attraction, offering tickets and guided visits to the public.

The origins of the Complejo Ecológico de América trace back to 1989, when during an expedition to the Río Bermejo evidence of yacaré predation was witnessed. This event is described by the institution as the spiritual birth of the organisation. In 1993, the legal framework was established when the first municipal ordinance formalised the loan of the first 6 hectares for the creation of a wildlife refuge. Two years later, in 1995, the project consolidated with the addition of volunteers and the obtaining of legal personality as an Entidad de Bien Público, together with authorisation from the Provincial Fauna authority. In 1996, a new ordinance extended the land loan to 30 years, allowing the complex to plan its growth over the long term. In 2001, the Deliberative Council granted the designation of Organización de Interés Municipal, a milestone in the validation of its work. During the 2010s, the complex entered a phase of major infrastructure development, building enclosures for brown bears, a hippopotamus, a lion savannah, a condor habitat and a serpentarium. In 2015, it participated in the Participatory Budget with the project 'La Mano que nos falta' to begin works on the artificial stream. On 1 February 2017, the artificial mountain stream 'Río Escondido' was inaugurated, a major attraction that functions as a bathing area within the ECO. Today the complex occupies approximately 40 of the 354 hectares of the Vivero Forestal "Francisco Pascasio Moreno" and continues to operate as a wildlife rescue centre, shelter and conservation complex under the direction of founder Adelmar Funk.

• 2017

  On 1 February, the artificial mountain stream 'Río Escondido' is inaugurated, functioning as a bathing area within the ECO.

• 2015

  Participation in the Participatory Budget with the project 'La Mano que nos falta' to begin works on the artificial stream.

• 2010

  Major infrastructure phase: brown bear enclosure, hippopotamus, lion savannah, condor habitat and serpentarium.

• 2001

  The Deliberative Council grants the designation of Organización de Interés Municipal.

• 1996

  New ordinance extends the land loan to 30 years, allowing long-term growth planning.

• 1995

  Consolidation with volunteers and obtaining of legal personality as an Entidad de Bien Público and authorisation from the Provincial Fauna authority.

• 1993

  Legal framework established; first municipal ordinance formalises the loan of the first 6 hectares for a wildlife refuge.

• 1989

  During an expedition to the Río Bermejo, evidence of yacaré predation is witnessed, marking the spiritual birth of the institution.

Non-profit wildlife refuge and conservation centre focused on rescue, rehabilitation and environmental education in Buenos Aires Province.

• Wildlife rescue and rehabilitation

• Environmental education programmes

• Public visits and guided tours

• Wildlife shelter and conservation

1. 1Refugio de Vida Silvestre y Conservación | ECO de Américaecodeamerica.org.ar
2. 2Nosotros | ECO de Américaecodeamerica.org.ar
3. 3Complejo Ecológico de Américawikidata.org
4. 4Eco de Américaes.wikipedia.org