Huemul

Huemul is a type of herbivorous deer native to Chile.

At present it can only be found in the sector of Nevados de Chillán (Bío-Bío Region) and from the Regions of Los Lagos to that of Magellan and Antarctica.

The huemul has a coat of dark brown color, mixed lightly with yellow, dense, thick, pneumatic (with air inside) and somewhat oily. This allows you to easily swim in the cold glacial waters of lakes, rivers, streams and also protects and shelters you from the harsh winter weather. It lives in mountainous areas, wooded and with abundance of bushes. In winter they prefer to stay in the most forested areas. Their diet is composed of grass, leaves and tree branches like colihue, ciruelillo, coihue, shrubs and others.

The huemul is one of the representatives of the national coat of arms and despite the great existence of projects for its conservation huemul is in serious danger of extinction because it suffered a considerable reduction in its population during the last century debibo to the indiscriminate hunting of the same, Animal-borne diseases, attacks by other animals such as dogs, introduction of non-native species, forest fires, adventure tourism and various human-induced alterations to the environment.

In 1996 it was declared Natural Monument by National Law 24.702, a category of management contemplated within the system of national parks of Argentina.