Iberá National Park jaguar triggers partial closures and tourism concerns

A jaguar named Ombú was sighted on public trails in Argentina’s Iberá National Park, prompting the National Parks Administration (APN) to impose partial closures of visitor areas. While the provincial park remains open, the national authority limits access to a single visitor centre and restricts trail use between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., citing safety for both visitors and the animal.

Local tourism operators and guides argue that the closures damage the regional economy, noting that tourism provides roughly 90 % of local employment. They have sent a letter to APN president Sergio Álvarez warning that reports of a closed park deter visitors during the peak winter season. The APN says its “adaptive management” plan allows vehicle access near the visitor centre when the jaguar is nearby and expands foot‑traffic routes when it moves away, while increasing ranger presence and signage.