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The new ChinChorro group was founded in April 2006. Here is a letter of the local project leader L. Araya Solís:
The name ChinChorro comes from the terms Chinchillas and Chorro: in floods. This name represents perfectly well
the objectives of the group.
Firstly, gather information and study everything in connection with this unique endemic species.
Secondly, open different communicative channels in order to educate people from Illapel and
surroundings about the life and habitat of these amazing rodents which appeared to be in a serious danger of extinction until a Chilean corporation CONAF (Corporación Nacional Forestal) made up a program of
protection from the insensible hunting and hence preserving them in La Reserva de Las Chinchillas, a place 15 kilometers far away from Illapel.
To achieve these objectives is that the 17 secondary students who belong to this group visit La
Reserva every 15 days to observe all the natural existing life there, attend instructive lessons given by the guards and guides who work in that place, make notes, take photos, etc.
The information that they gather after every visit will form part of a series of audio-visual
exposures carried out by them, at the different schools in the city and all over the Choapa province.
The third objective deals with a program focused mainly on the preservation of the flora, especially
three native species in danger of extinction; guayacán (Porliera chilensis), carboncillo (Cordia decandra) and algarrobo (Prosopis chilensis). To make this purpose a real fact, the Chinchorro Members will
invite other students from different local schools to take part in the task of planting more of these trees and bushes in the hill Los Pajaritos (The little birds), close to La Reserva.
Finally, having in mind many other living species from La Reserva, such as rodents, birds, reptiles
and plants, the Chinchorro Group will develop some other activities to improve their living conditions and ensure their food in the future by clearing up the garbage from the surrounding areas.
Laura Araya Solís
Here is the first photo of the new ChinChorros (April 2006):
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