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Country Wildlife Response Profiles
URUGUAY
A Summary of oiled wildlife response
arrangements and resources worldwide
VERSION
11/19/2009
Introduction
The Oriental Republic of Uruguay borders on the north and northeast with the Federative Republic of Brazil, on
the west with the Republic of Argentina across the River Uruguay and on the south with the River Plate. It has
coast on the Atlantic Ocean to the east.
Uruguay has about 450 km of coastline along the River Plate and 220 km of maritime coastline on the Atlantic
Ocean. A dense fluvial network covers the country, consisting of four river basins or deltas; the Plata River, the
Uruguay River, the Merín Lagoon and the Black River.
Two pinniped species breed in Uruguay including the South American Fur Seal (Arctocephalus australis) and
the South American Sea Lion (Otaria flavescens). There are colonies of both species at Isla de Lobos, three
islands in front of Cabo Polonio (Rasa, Encantada and Islote), Marco Island and La Coronilla group (Seca and
Verde Islands; Vaz-Ferreira 1956). Isla de Lobos is the country’s largest offshore island (10 km. offshore from
Punta del Este) and home to half the pinniped population in Uruguay. It is a Nature Reserve included in the
Coastal Island National Park. Cabo Polonio is a haul-out for mostly male South American Fur Seals (a
maximum of 2000 individuals) and occasional Southern Sea Lions. The Uruguayan coast also provides resting
areas during the migration period of Subantartic Furs Seal (Arctocephalus tropicalis) and the Southern
Elephant Seal (Mirounga leonina). Cetaceans also found in the area, including bottlenose dolphins, (Tursiops
truncatus), the Plata Dolphin or Franciscana (Pontoporia blenvilei) and the Southern Right Whale (Eubalaena
australis) between July and November.
Three endangered species of sea turtles, including the Green turtle (Chelonia mydas), the Loggerhead (Caretta
caretta) and the Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), inhabit Uruguayan coastal waters.
Uruguay is also home to three species of penguins: the King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus), the Southern
Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome), and the Magallanes Penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus). The
Magellanic penguin lives along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of South America. The eastern population breeds
in large colonies in Argentina and migrates north as far as Southwest Brazil between March and September.
Uruguay is rich in wetlands. The south-eastern part of the country, known as Bañados del Este (BDE, ‘Eastern
Wetlands’), was declared Biosphere Natural Reserve by the UNESCO in 1976, and RAMSAR site as well.
Bañados del Este Biosphere Reserve includes different protected areas. It is characterized by extensive
freshwater and coastal ecosystems of very significant regional importance. Aquatic habitats include a long strip
of Atlantic seashore, coastal sand dunes, coastal lagoons (both freshwater and brackish including Black
Lagoon, Castillos Lagoon, Garzon Lagoon - Rocha & Maldonado), mudflats, numerous rivers and streams,
inland marshes, and palm swamps. It provides a feeding, resting and breeding habitat for many birds. The
Rocha Lagoon, declared National Park in 1977, covers an area of 70 square kilometres and is separated by a
sand bar from the Atlantic Ocean. A large variety of species can be found in the area. Many birds, also Black
Neck Swan (Cygnus melancoryphus) and the endemic Coscoroba Swan (Coscoroba coscoroba) find in Rocha
a rich food supply. More than 200 species of breeding and migratory birds such as waders, flamingos, swans,
herons, ducks, also threatened species such as Chilean Flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis), Olrog´s Gull
(Larus atlanticus) and Black-and-white Monjita (Heteroxolmis dominicana) use the lagoon. This region ‘Eastern
Wetlands’ is being considered for addition to the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN),
which would recognize BDE as a crucial link within the set of key sites of continental importance for migratory
shorebirds (Rilla 1993, Blanco &Carbonell 2001).
The National Park Esteros de Farrapos and Islands of River Uruguay, located in the lower stretch of the
Uruguay River, downstream from the Salto Grande Dam on the border with Argentina is also a RAMSAR site in
Uruguay, and supports a great concentration of migratory birds.
Uruguay has a port at Montevideo, an oil terminal at Punta del Este. Although it is not an oil producer country,
the risk of oil spills rest in the region’s increasing oil production activities and thus greater volumes of oil and
petroleum products are being shipped. Penguins are particular vulnerable to oil spills, specially the Magellanic
penguins that migrate between Argentina and Brazil in the Atlantic Ocean on routes that can overlap with heavy
maritime traffic and petroleum development (Stokes et al., 1998; Pu¨ tz et al., 2000).
© Sea Alarm Foundation, 2006
This Country Wildlife Profile is subject to the accompanying Terms and Conditions
1
Country Wildlife Response Profiles
URUGUAY
A Summary of oiled wildlife response
arrangements and resources worldwide
Regional Seas
South Atlantic Ocean
Rio de la Plata
Past experience
Bunkers from ANGELINA (1981) which sunk off Punta del Este, threatened local fishing and seal grounds.
FRONT BRAVANT (2007) a spill occurred at the oil buoy located in José Ignacio (near Punta del Este,
Maldonado) nearby beaches at José Ignacio, which are big tourist attraction during the summer month. The
SAN JORGE (1997) spilt between 2-5000 tonnes of crude after grounding off Punta del Este. About 30 km. of
the coastline was affected. Oil also polluted badly a nearby seal sanctuary, Isla de Lobos, causing an oiled
wildlife incident. Between 5000-6000 South American Fur Seal (Arctocephalus australis) and South American
Sea Lion (Otaria flavescens) died, mostly pups. National NGOs and Wildlife Rescue Centres were involved with
the oiled wildlife response. Veterinarian assistance and necropsies were carried out by the Research Fisheries
Institute of the Faculty of Veterinary. In 2001 and 2002, approximately 150 oiled penguins were washed up
shore, in Punta del Este and Maldonado, respectively. The non-government organization S.O.S Rescate de
Fauna Marina based in Piriapolis in cooperation with the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and the
Center for the Recovery of Marine Animals (CRAM/MO-FURG) in Brazil rehabilitated them. In June 2008, two
merchant ships collided off the coast of Uruguay causing an oiled wildlife incident in Uruguay, Brazil and
Argentina. In total, hundreds of birds, mainly penguins, were affected. One South American sea lion was also
found dead and oiled after the spill. International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and the local group Society
for the Conservation of Biodiversity in Maldonado (SOCOBIOMA) led a coalition of NGOs tasked with the oiled
wildlife response. Other groups involved with the rescue of oiled birds included Center for the Recovery of
Marine Animals (CRAM/MO-FURG) in Brazil, Fundacion Mundo Marino (FMM) and Fundacion Patagonia
Natural (FPN) of Argentina. Close to 250 Magellanic penguins, 4 Great grebes and 1 Giant petrel were cared
for by IFAW and SOCOBIOMA alone in a temporary wildlife centre that was set up for the response, and the
majority were released back to the wild in July. Around sixty Magellanic penguins were rehabilitated by CRAM.
S.O.S Rescate de Fauna Marina also rehabilitated one hundred penguins and other sea birds.
Chronic oil pollution has been a long-standing problem along a 4,200-mile stretch of coast from southern Brazil
to northern Argentina. Every year oiled penguins are found on beaches along their migration route. A small
number of them are rescued annually along their migration range in Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil, and taken
to rehabilitation facilities. According to wildlife responders, the majority of the oiled animals are found in a
coastline of 200 km. from Punta del Este to Rocha, between autumn and winter (April-September).
Response: the role of the authorities
National Navy Prefecture (Prefactura Nacional Naval) is the national competent authority dealing with oil spills.
Uruguay consists of nineteen departments, which are governed by an intendente municipal. At the local level,
the intendente municipal has the responsibility for dealing with oil spills. A National Contingency Plan has been
developed along guidelines recommended by the International Maritime Organisation.
In Uruguay, there is a National Emergency System in place since 1995. A number of Ministries, departments
and Institutes would be involved with an oil spill response. The team of the National Emergency System would
normally comprise representatives of the Ministry of National Defence, Interior Ministry, Foreign Affairs Ministry,
Economy and Finances Ministry, Education and Culture Ministry, Ministry of Transport and Public Works,
Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mines , Ministry of Social Security and Work, Ministry of Public Health, Ministry
of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries, Ministry of Tourism, and Ministry of Spatial Planning and Environment.
It includes 1) National Committee of Emergencies 2) National Council of Emergencies 3) Technical and
Operative Permanent Unit 4) Department Committees. Sensitivity maps are available.
The Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries (MGAP) is responsible for responding to oil spills in which
wildlife have been contaminated or are at risk of becoming contaminated. Marine Mammals Department of the
© Sea Alarm Foundation, 2006
This Country Wildlife Profile is subject to the accompanying Terms and Conditions
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Country Wildlife Response Profiles
URUGUAY
A Summary of oiled wildlife response
arrangements and resources worldwide
National Direction of Aquatic (DINARA) of MGAP will assume responsibility of the oiled marine mammals. If an
oil spill affects sea turtles and seabirds, the Pelagic Resources of DINARA will be in charge of the response.
The National Direction of Renewable Resources of MGAP will also have responsibility for response in the
Coastal Island National Park including the Island de Lobos. As the Ministry of Spatial Planning and
Environment has competence on wildlife in general, most likely will coordinate the oiled wildlife response. In
particular, the responsibility rests under the National Direction of the Environment (DINAMA).
Oiled wildlife response
Formal guidelines?
Uruguay does not have a wildlife response plan in place or any formal guidelines.
Response objectives and strategy
No information on the pre-spill defined objectives or a strategy for an oiled marine mammals. response.
Guidelines for tours visiting the islands inhabited by the seals, were drafted by Marine Mammals Department of
the National Direction of Aquatic (DINARA) of MGAP and aimed to minimise disturbances to pinniped
populations (Ponce de León and Pinn 2000). In 2007 an Action Plan for the Conservation of Seabirds (only
albatross and petrels) has been finalised. The authorities have initiated to extent the Action Plan to other
species. The Plan does not include oiled wildlife guidelines. It is unclear as yet how an oiled wildlife response
would be organised.
Euthanasia or rehabilitation?
The authorities would allow the rescue and rehabilitation of the oiled wildlife to the national NGOs and
organisations dealing with marine wildlife. A few NGOs have experienced in dealing with oiled wildlife, but
having only limited resources at its disposal makes the response challenging. The NGOs are familiar with
international guidelines of oiled wildlife rehabilitation.
Impact assessment
By its own initiative, The Faculty of Veterinary, University of the Republic of the Fisheries Research Institute
would carry out necropsies of dead marine mammals, as it did with fur seals and sea lions in the aftermath of
the SAN JORGE (1997) spill. Dead animals are brought to the collection of Museo del Mar (Punta del Este, La
Barra de Maldonado and the Faculty of Science of the University of the Republic. Sea turtles necropsies would
most likely be carried out by the only Sea Turtle Wildlife Centre (Karumbe Project). Necropsies have been
carried out of dead stranded individuals.
The International Fund for Animal Welfare emergency relief provided data on two spills on how many live
penguins they found oiled or in need of care, and their age classes. Four organisations, including the SOS
Rescate de Fauna Marina, Protección de Fauna Marina (PROFAUMA), Rescate Eco-Marítimo and Karumbe
were involved in a study to document chronic oil pollution and its effects on penguins in the Southwest Atlantic.
The released birds where tagged with rings provided by the Department of Zoology, University of Washington.
Notification and early response
The Uruguayan Navy will be notified. The National Emergency System will be activated under the coordination
of the Unit of Environment Protection of the National Navy Prefecture. Most likely NGOs would be call in.
Wildlife responders
There are four specialised NGOs in Uruguay that are dealing with rescuing and rehabilitating marine wildlife
and have experience in treating oiled animals.
Karumbé is a sea turtle conservation project that integrates research, education, public awareness and
protection efforts. Since 2001, the Karumbe Project manages a Sea Turtle Wildlife Centre in Canelones (1km.
near the coast). Oiled sea turtles have been rehabilitated successfully, but seldom occur. Internationals
protocols from IUCN and the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) are being used to treat the sea turtles
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This Country Wildlife Profile is subject to the accompanying Terms and Conditions
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Country Wildlife Response Profiles
URUGUAY
A Summary of oiled wildlife response
arrangements and resources worldwide
as well as an internal protocol, which includes one page on good practice for the rehabilitation of oiled sea
turtles. The Centre also acts as a forward holding centre for penguins, where stabilisation is carried out before
the animals are sent to another wildlife rescue centre such as SoCoBioMa. An emergency hotline is in place 24
hours. It counts with 4 technicians and a network of national and international volunteers. The Centre
established a network of stranded sea turtles and rescue Rio de la Plata Estuary and Atlantic Ocean and a
guide for Stranded Sea turtles is published on its web site. The Marine Research and Conservation Center
(CICM), which has the primary reason of educating, is also run by the Karumbe Project. However, the centre
envisages moving to better facilities.
The Society for the Conservation of Maldonado Biodiversity (SoCoBioMa) is an active NGO rescuing and
rehabilitating marine wildlife on a voluntary basis. It has experience in handling and attending oiled penguins.
Fur seal, sea lion, albatross, petrels, gulls and other species have also been rehabilitated. 250 oiled birds
(mainly penguins) were treated at the temporary wildlife hospital set up jointly with IFAW in the aftermath of a
spill; high percentages of the animals were released.
At present, a Wildlife Rescue Centre is being built where the temporary hospital was established. Between 80
-90 animals are being treated yearly. It counts with 1 veterinarian and 25 volunteers were trained.
SOS Rescate de Fauna Marina (Rescue Marine Wildlife), which operates since 1993, is located in, in Piriapolis
(Punta Colorada) devoted to rescue and rehabilitated marine wildlife with experience in handling and attending
oiled animals. During three months in 2008, 250 oiled animals were brought to the centre to be rehabilitated.
Each year, 100-300 oiled animals are being treated at the centre. It also has experience in rescuing small
whales (less than 5 metres long), dolphins, fur seals and sea lions. It counts with 2 veterinarians, 5 staff and 30
-40 volunteers. The centre does not do euthanasia. If any animal have limited possibility to survive in the wild, it
will be sent to a Zoo and Aquarium. The centre was in contact with the Seal Rehabilitation Center in
Pieterburen in the aftermath of San Jorge spill (1997) and with IFAW, thus being familiar with international
protocols. The centre is going under restructuration and more research is envisaged to be carried out. It is part
of the Uruguayan Environmental Network
Pending information on Protección de Fauna Marina (PROFAUMA), a marine wildlife rescue centre based in
Montevideo dealing with sea lions, fur seals, elephant seals, penguins, albatrosses, petrels and gulls. It also
has a cetaceans stranding network. Rescate Eco Marítimo (R.E.M.), an active non-for profit organisation a few
years ago, works on the rescue and rehabilitation of marine wildlife. The NGO is stand by at the moment, but
in a event of a spill affecting wildlife, REM could provide expertise on oiled wildlife rehabilitation and volunteers.
In regards to birds, other organisations could provide useful information and local knowledge during an oiled
wildlife incident including the Aves Uruguay, the Grupo Uruguayo para el estudio y conservación de las aves
(GUPECA), which is the Birdlife partner, Sociedad de Amigos de la Laguna de Rocha, Averaves, Vida silvestre
Uruguay and the Asociación Conservacionista Uruguaya de Ornitología. The latter have an Executive Team,
154 members and volunteers, who could be mobilised rapidly. Seabird biology and ecology courses are
organised broad knowledge on species, seasonal differences and habitat could be provided.
For cetaceans, the organisation to contact is the Conservación de Cetáceos (OCC) de Uruguay. The Faculty of
Veterinary, University of the Republic of the Fisheries Research Institute could provide veterinarian advice to
the NGOs and wildlife rescue centres dealing with the oiled wildlife response and will carry out necropsies.
Cooperation between stakeholders
There is the IFAW Penguin Rehabilitation and Research Network, a close network of organisations and wildlife
rescue centres in Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay.
Permanent facilities
Sea Turtle Wildlife Centre in Canelones (1km. near the coast) managed by Karumbe Project, has a capacity to
accommodate 10-15 sea turtles at once.
A Wildlife Rescue Centre dealing with marine wildlife is being built and managed by the Society for the
Conservation of Maldonado Biodiversity (SoCoBioMa). Limited equipment such as one pool that could
accommodate 20 birds is available. The centre, located in 1km. off the coast, can house up to approximately
© Sea Alarm Foundation, 2006
This Country Wildlife Profile is subject to the accompanying Terms and Conditions
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Country Wildlife Response Profiles
URUGUAY
A Summary of oiled wildlife response
arrangements and resources worldwide
250 birds at a time.
SOS Rescate de Fauna Marina (Rescue Marine Wildlife), the centre located Punta Colorada, in Piriapolis. It is
a limited facility, capable of safely housing and rehabilitating only 25 birds at a time, but with the possibility to
scale up the response up to approximately 125-159 birds. Information is not available yet on PROFAUMA
facilities.
Current processes
The Society for the Conservation of Maldonado Biodiversity is planning to recruit more volunteers in MarchApril, to have an extra manpower in case an oiled wildlife incident occurs and large number volunteers are
needed.
Documentation and references
General references
ITOPF Country Profile
http://sea.unep-wcmc.org/wdbpa/sitedetails.cfm?siteid=68318&level=int
Terms and Conditions
These Country Wildlife Profiles are provided in good faith as a guide only and are based on information
obtained from a variety of sources over a period of time. This information is subject to change and should,
© Sea Alarm Foundation, 2006
This Country Wildlife Profile is subject to the accompanying Terms and Conditions
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