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The wetlands of Semi-arid Southern Patagonia can be considered true oases in the steppe, visited by an important number of migratory birds. However, the presence of feral horses is greatly modifying this environment causing habitat and biodiversity loss. The species that fares the worst is the Austral Rail (Rallus antarcticus), an endangered and poorly known species. This species was present at Bosques Petrificados National Park, in the small wetland “El Cuadro” until 2008. However, due to the constant degradation exerted by feral horses, the area became decertified and the Austral Rail was only seen or heard occasionally between 2013 and 2017, and never recorded again. In 2020 a wetland restoration project started and El Cuadro’s vegetation cover was almost recovered by the end of the first season. During the 2021 winter season the Austral Rail was recorded again at El Cuadro wetland.
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Testoni et al. (2022) studied this question.
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