06/01/2006 - Buenos Aires, Argentina – WWF's associate organization, Fundación Vida Silvestre Argentina (FVSA), has signed a cooperation agreement with local authorities to promote conservation in the United Nations-protected Valdés Peninsula in the Patagonia region of Argentina. The cooperation agreement — signed with Argentina’s Chubut Province and the Península Valdés Natural Protected Area Administration — seeks to implement a sustainable tourism plan for the protected area, including the establishment of a visitors centre at the whale watching town of Puerto Pirámide.

“The agreement is important in promoting the sustainable development of the region for present and future generations,” said Marcelo Acerbi, FVSA’s Conservation Director. “Both the tourism plan and the whale watching centre are opportunities where tourism can contribute to conservation.”

In September 2005, FVSA acquired 7,360ha of the San Pablo de Valdés wildlife reserve, which includes 12km of pristine coastline. The acquisition gives FVSA access to management decisions in the nearby Valdés Peninsula coastal and marine protected area and UNESCO World Heritage site.

“Three months ago we announced our commitment to work for the effective management of the Valdés Heritage site,” said FVSA Chief Executive Officer Javier Corcuera. “Today, we are giving are taking a first step together with key stakeholders to ensure this jewel shines for ever.”

Peninsula Valdés is marked by its vibrant coastlines, a stunning array of tall cliffs, rocky reef and exotic marine mammals, including the southern elephant seal, sea lion, southern right whale, and Magellan penguins. The area is also home to more than 60 species of birds, as well as several species of terrestrial mammals, such as the grey fox, guanaco, and mara.

NOTES:

• Since 1987, FVSA has established 13 wildlife private refuges, covering 105,000ha. With support from WWF International, FVSA is working towards forest landscape restoration in the Atlantic Forest, which is one of the richest forest habitats in Argentina, as well as Paraguay and Brazil.

• The acquisition of the San Pablo de Valdés wildlife reserve was made possible with support from the Dutch National Postcode Lottery and WWF-Netherlands.

• WWF began working in Argentina in 1987, when Fundación Vida Silvestre Argentina (FVSA) became an associate of WWF. Together, the two organizations hold joint campaigns, arrange global actions, and execute several programmes and projects.