Copo National Park

Copo Overview

Copo National Park, or Parque Nacional Copo in Spanish, is located in the province of Santiago del Estero in northern Argentina.

Spanning approximately 386 square miles (1,000 square kilometers), the park was established to protect a unique part of the Gran Chaco region, a vast and biodiverse lowland plain that extends across Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, and Brazil.

This national park is a critical refuge for many species adapted to the hot and dry conditions of the Chaco, offering a blend of thorny forests, open savannas, and seasonal wetlands.

The park’s terrain is characterized by its dry forests, dominated by quebracho trees, which have historically been harvested for their dense, tannin-rich wood. Alongside these trees, visitors will find other hardy vegetation such as algarrobo (carob trees), chañar, and cactus species that thrive in the arid environment.

The landscape is mostly flat, with slight undulations that support seasonal water bodies. These temporary wetlands become crucial sources of water during the dry season, attracting diverse wildlife.

Copo National Park is home to a remarkable array of wildlife, many of which are specially adapted to the extreme conditions of the Gran Chaco. Among the most notable species are the elusive jaguar, which is rare but still found in the area, and the giant anteater, an iconic species that uses its long tongue to consume thousands of ants and termites daily.

Other key mammals include the Chacoan peccary, a pig-like animal once thought to be extinct, and the maned wolf, known for its long legs and fox-like appearance. The park is also rich in birdlife, with species such as the crowned solitary eagle, Chaco eagle, and red-legged seriema commonly sighted. These birds, along with various parrots and woodpeckers, add vibrant colors and sounds to the otherwise quiet landscape.

One of the park’s most striking features is its remoteness and pristine condition, making it a haven for nature lovers seeking solitude. Due to its ecological importance, Copo National Park is a destination primarily for wildlife observation, photography, and scientific research. While the park does not have extensive infrastructure for tourists, guided tours and ranger-led excursions provide insight into the region’s biodiversity.

Visitors who venture into the park’s trails might encounter traces of jaguar footprints, witness the unique hunting behavior of the maned wolf, or spot a flock of parrots soaring over the quebracho forests.

Conservation efforts in Copo National Park focus on protecting the Gran Chaco’s fragile ecosystem, which has been threatened by deforestation, agricultural expansion, and hunting. The park serves as a crucial stronghold for species that have lost much of their habitat elsewhere.

Argentina’s National Parks Administration works alongside conservation organizations to monitor wildlife populations and prevent illegal activities such as poaching. Successes include the confirmed presence of jaguars, which indicates that the park still supports apex predators, and the increasing awareness of the Chacoan ecosystem’s importance among local communities and conservationists. Despite these efforts, challenges remain, as the surrounding areas continue to face deforestation pressures.

Park Map

Copo National Park Highlights

Wildlife

Birds

Copo National Park is an important refuge for bird species that inhabit the dry Chaco forests. Its diverse landscape supports raptors, parrots, woodpeckers, and other birds adapted to arid environments. Here are some of the most remarkable bird species found in the park:

Crowned Solitary Eagle (Buteogallus coronatus)
A rare and endangered raptor, this eagle is a powerful predator that hunts small mammals and reptiles in the park’s open woodlands.

Greater Rhea (Rhea americana)
The largest bird in South America, the greater rhea is a flightless species that roams the park’s grasslands, feeding on plants, seeds, and insects.

Chaco Owl (Strix chacoensis)
A nocturnal predator, the Chaco owl is adapted to life in dry forests, where it hunts rodents, insects, and small birds.

Toco Toucan (Ramphastos toco)
This striking bird, with its enormous orange beak, is a seed disperser and an important part of the forest ecosystem.

Red-legged Seriema (Cariama cristata)
A ground-dwelling bird with a distinctive call, the red-legged seriema is an agile hunter that preys on lizards, insects, and small rodents.

Blue-fronted Amazon (Amazona aestiva)
A highly intelligent and social parrot, the blue-fronted Amazon is known for its bright green plumage and loud calls.

Spot-winged Falconet (Spiziapteryx circumcincta)
A small but fierce raptor, the spot-winged falconet is an efficient hunter of insects, small birds, and reptiles.

Cream-backed Woodpecker (Campephilus leucopogon)
A striking woodpecker with black-and-white plumage, this species is often heard drumming on tree trunks as it searches for insects.

Brown Cacholote (Pseudoseisura lophotes)
A distinctive bird with a crest and a loud call, the brown cacholote builds large stick nests in trees and shrubs.

Black-bodied Woodpecker (Dryocopus schulzii)
A rare and elusive species, this woodpecker is an important part of the park’s ecosystem, helping to control insect populations.

Copo National Park is a vital stronghold for Argentina’s dry Chaco wildlife, offering protection to some of the country’s most unique and endangered species.

Copo National Park, located in the province of Santiago del Estero, Argentina, is a vast and remote protected area within the Dry Chaco region. It is home to a remarkable variety of wildlife, including many species adapted to arid forests and scrublands. The park plays a crucial role in the conservation of endangered species. Here are some of the most notable mammals and reptiles found in the park:

Jaguar (Panthera onca)
Once widespread in the Chaco, the jaguar is now extremely rare in this region. Copo National Park provides one of the last refuges for this apex predator in Argentina.

Chacoan Peccary (Catagonus wagneri)
Also known as the tagua, this species was once thought to be extinct until it was rediscovered in the 1970s. It thrives in the dry forests, feeding on cacti and other tough vegetation.

Maned Wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus)
This tall, long-legged canid is unique to South America. It primarily feeds on small mammals, birds, and fruits, including the lobeira, which is an essential part of its diet.

Giant Anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla)
An expert at hunting ants and termites, the giant anteater uses its long, sticky tongue to extract insects from nests. It is an important species for maintaining insect populations in the park.

Puma (Puma concolor)
A highly adaptable predator, the puma inhabits various landscapes in the park, preying on deer, peccaries, and smaller mammals.

Geoffroy’s Cat (Leopardus geoffroyi)
This small wild cat is a nocturnal predator that hunts rodents, birds, and reptiles. Its adaptability allows it to thrive in Copo’s dry forests.

Lowland Tapir (Tapirus terrestris)
The largest land mammal in South America, the lowland tapir is a key species in the ecosystem, dispersing seeds and maintaining the health of the forest.

Lesser Hairy Armadillo (Chaetophractus vellerosus)
A burrowing species, this armadillo is well adapted to the arid environment of Copo National Park, where it forages for insects, roots, and small vertebrates.

Argentine Black-and-White Tegu (Salvator merianae)
One of the largest lizards in South America, this omnivorous reptile preys on small animals, eggs, and fruits, making it an important part of the ecosystem.

South American Rattlesnake (Crotalus durissus)
A venomous snake found in the park’s dry forests, the South American rattlesnake is an important predator of rodents and other small animals.