Llanquihue Lake race sparks environmental controversy in Frutillar

A planned charity event in Frutillar, Chile, involving a race of 10,000 rubber ducks on Lake Llanquihue has ignited significant environmental concerns. The event, titled “Frutillar Hace Historia,” is organized by the Municipalidad de Frutillar and the Unión Comunal de Adultos Mayores to raise funds, offering prizes of up to $2 million.

Critics, including the NGO Defendamos Patagonia, have labeled the activity an “ecological time bomb,” warning that the synthetic materials could break down into microplastics or pose a threat to local birds and fish that might mistake the toys for food. Former mayor Ramón Espinoza has requested an intervention from the Superintendencia del Medio Ambiente (SMA) to evaluate potential risks to the lake’s ecosystem and determine if the activity requires an environmental impact assessment.

In response to the backlash, the animal rights group Acción Animalista has withdrawn from the event, stating they must prioritize environmental protection. Frutillar Mayor Javier Arismendi has defended the initiative, stating that a special containment operation involving boats and beach personnel will be deployed to ensure no rubber ducks remain in the lake or on the shore.