Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
artifacts is limited, but there are
fine examples of Patagonian
fauna and some dinosaur fossils
that were discovered when the
town center was redeveloped
in 1994. Santa Rosa is also the
base from which to explore
the impressive Parque Nacional
Lihué Calel.
Environs
Around 23 miles (35 km)
south of Santa Rosa is
Reserva
Provincial Parque Luro
. A
former private estate, the land
was once owned by Pedro
Luro, a relative of General Roca
and son of one of the creators
of the resort of Mar del Plata
(see pp152-3)
. The area was
taken over by the
provincial authorities
in 1996. Luro had
built a French-style
château here called El
Castillo, and imported
deer from Europe so he
could go hunting in
grand old European
aristocratic style.
Today, the preserve is
home to many native animals,
such as pumas, armadillos, red
foxes, wild cats, guanacos,
ferrets, and
ñandús
. It also has
exotic species including red
deer and wild boar. Guided
tours, on foot or on horseback,
take visitors around the
beautiful château, through
thick forests of native trees, and
up onto the dunes that
surround the green park.
Guanacos roaming freely in Parque Nacional Lihué Calel
unusual mix of vegetation
supporting both ferns and
spiked cacti. The most com-
monly found is the Traitor
plant, which is a densely spiked
cactus. The park has over 150
bird species, while its pride is
the reclusive puma, which
is rarely seen. Gray
foxes roam freely,
especially near
camp sites, and
wild mountain
cats, herds of
ñandús
, guanacos,
wild boar, and armadillos can
easily be spotted. Venomous
snakes such as
yarará
and coral
snakes are also found, and it is
advisable for visitors to stay
away from thick bushes or
unexplored paths. Spring is the
best time to visit the park;
walkers and cyclists can go on
self-guided trips to see indige-
nous cave paintings by the
region's first inhabitants or
venture on a tougher scramble
to the top of the highest peak,
the 1,902-ft (580-m) Cerro de la
Sociedad Científica. The camp-
ground here is free and has
showers and barbecues. There
is also a service station that
houses a slightly old motel,
which has some facilities.
Crested Caracara at
Lihué Calel
The Native Frontier
Spanish viceroys in pre-Independent Argentina were more
concerned with protecting the Buenos Aires port and the trade
routes to the north than with indigenous populations. Shortly
after Independence in 1816, however, the leaders of the newly
formed Argentinian Republic turned their attention to the Pampas
and Patagonia. The first to wage a military campaign against the
indigenous population, in order to acquire their land, was Juan
Manuel de Rosas
(see p53)
in
southern Argentina in the
1830s.
In the 1870s, General
Roca, later president, led the
Conquista del Desierto
(see p54)
.
His campaign moved south
beyond Río Negro, vanquishing
the Mapuche and Tehuelche
and rounding up survivors,
who were relocated to central
Buenos Aires province. A turning
point was the surrender in
1885 of Valentín Sayhueque,
an important
cacique
(pre-
Columbian tribal chief ) and
head of the Manzaneros.
Today, the Mapuche live in
the provinces of Buenos Aires,
La Pampa, Neuquén, Río Negro,
and Chubut.
u
Parque Nacional
Lihué Calel
Road map
B3. 140 miles (225 km) SW
of Santa Rosa.
Te l
(02952) 436-595.
@
Open
daily.
Created in 1977, Parque
Nacional Lihué Calel covers
about 39 sq miles (100 sq km).
Meaning “hills of life” in the
native Mapuche language, the
slopes at Lihué Calel are rela-
tively fertile in comparison to
the surrounding plains. This is
because the sierras were
formed by intense volcanic
activity nearly 200 million years
ago and retain water provided
by scarce rains. The park has an
General Roca, who led the Conquista
del Desierto