Argentina is extraordinarily biodiverse—from the Andes and Patagonia to the Pampas and Atlantic coast. Yet human activities (deforestation, overhunting, pollution, habitat fragmentation) have pushed many species into vulnerable, threatened, or endangered status.

Below are 34 endangered animals in Argentina—their key traits and the main threats they face.

1) Southern Right Whale (Eubalaena australis)

• Overview: Argentina’s largest mammal; often sighted off the Patagonian coast (e.g., Puerto Madryn). Up to ~15 m long; characteristic V-shaped blow up to ~3 m; callosities on the head allow individual ID; occasionally breaches up to ~3 m.

• Threats: Historical whaling (for oil) caused dramatic declines; ongoing vessel strikes, fishing-gear entanglement, pollution, and noise.

• Protection: Declared a “Natural Monument” in Argentina; responsible ecotourism and shipping controls are critical.

2) Maned Wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) — “Aguará guazú”

• Overview: The largest canid in South America; in Argentina chiefly in the northeast (Chaco, Formosa, Corrientes, Santa Fe). Reddish coat, very long legs and ears; up to ~35 kg, ~125 cm (plus ~45 cm tail). Solitary, crepuscular/nocturnal.

• Threats: Agricultural expansion and roads fragment habitat; conflict with livestock; persecution.

• Protection: Habitat corridors, road-safety measures, public education.

3) Jaguar (Panthera onca) — “Yaguareté”

• Overview: The Americas’ largest cat (third worldwide after tiger and lion). Stockier than leopards, with extremely powerful bite (can crush turtle shells). In Argentina mainly in humid forests (e.g., Misiones).

• Ecological role: Apex predator regulating prey populations.

• Threats: Habitat loss/fragmentation, poaching, human-wildlife conflict.

• Protection: Transboundary habitat networks, anti-poaching, coexistence programs.

4) Huemul Deer (Hippocamelus bisulcus)

• Overview: Robust Andean deer of Patagonia; brown coat, big ears, relatively short legs; males with large antlers.

• Threats: Poaching, dog harassment, livestock encroachment, wildfires, disease.

• Status: Likely fewer than 1,000 individuals in scattered subpopulations.

• Protection: Strict disturbance control in core habitats; restoration of mountain grass-shrub mosaics.

5) Magellanic Penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus)

• Overview: Medium-sized penguin (≈45 cm, 3 kg). Black back/white belly; distinctive white band across the head. Generally monogamous and long-term pair-bonding.

• Diet: Pelagic fish, squid, krill, crustaceans.

• Threats: Oil spills, marine pollution, overfishing (prey decline), tourism disturbance at colonies.

• Protection: Colony buffer zones, clean-sea actions, responsible wildlife tourism.

6) Guanaco (Lama guanicoe)

• Overview: Wild camelid related to llamas; dark head, pale underparts/legs; can live 20+ years; fast runner (escaping puma, etc.).

• Sociality: Small groups—one male with several females and young.

• Threats/Trend: Past overhunting and habitat degradation; some protected areas show recovery.

7) Tapir (Tapirus spp.)

• Overview: Northern Argentina’s humid forests and hills (Salta, Formosa, Chaco, Misiones, Corrientes). Short proboscis to grasp leaves, roots, and fruits. Calves have cryptic, spotted coats.

• Threats: Deforestation, fragmentation, roads, poaching.

• Protection: Rainforest connectivity, night-time traffic controls, anti-poaching.

8) Giant Anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla)

• Overview: Up to ~2 m and ~40 kg. Poor eyesight but exceptional smell; narrow snout and ~60 cm sticky tongue for ants/termites.

• Threats: Grassland burning and conversion, dog attacks, poaching, low reproductive rate.

• Protection: Manage fire regimes, protect den sites, reduce dog predation.

9) Giant Armadillo (Priodontes maximus) — “Tatú carreta”

• Overview: The largest armadillo (≈1.5 m, ~60 kg); among mammals with the most teeth (~100). Nocturnal; digs with ~20 cm claws for ants/termites.

• Threats: Habitat loss, hunting; small, isolated groups.

• Trend: Estimated ~30% decline over the last two decades in some areas.

10) Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) — “Lobo de río”

• Overview: Largest mustelid; ~1.5–1.8 m, ~25 kg; very social (groups up to ~10) and highly vocal. Once widespread in Amazon/Pantanal; range now fragmented.

• Threats: River pollution and habitat degradation, fur hunting (historic/illegal), overfishing (prey shortage).

• Protection: Basin-wide water quality, fishing regulation, anti-poaching, community co-management.

More species in vulnerable/threatened/endangered status (Argentina)

• Marsh Deer (Blastocerus dichotomus)

• Military Macaw (Ara militaris)

• Margay / Little Spotted Cat (Leopardus wiedii)

• Patagonian Mara (Dolichotis patagonum)

• Andean Flamingo (Phoenicoparrus andinus)

• Puma / Mountain Lion (Puma concolor)

• Laguna Blanca Frog (Atelognathus patagonicus)

• Long-tailed Chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera)

• Capuchin Monkey (Cebus apella)

• South American Gray Fox (Lycalopex griseus)

• Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus)

• Southern River Otter / Huillín (Lontra provocax)

• Chacoan Peccary (Catagonus wagneri)

• Lesser Rhea (Darwin’s Rhea / Suri) (Rhea pennata)

• Atacama Water Frog (Telmatobius atacamensis)

• Black Howler Monkey (Alouatta caraya)

• Pink Fairy Armadillo (Chlamyphorus truncatus)

• Broad-snouted Caiman / Yacaré overo (Caiman latirostris)

• Pampas Deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus)

• Ruddy-headed Goose (Chloephaga rubidiceps)

• Bush Dog / Vinegar Fox (Speothos venaticus)

• Red-spectacled Amazon (Amazona pretrei)

• Glass Frog (Vitreorana uranoscopa) (Hyalinobatrachium uranoscopum)

• Somuncurá Frog (Somuncuria somuncurensis)

Note: Risk categories can differ by province and over time. Always check the latest national/provincial red lists and legal protections.

How to Help Endangered Animals in Argentina

Individuals & Communities

• Choose eco-friendly habits: reusable bags, public transit/low-carbon travel, recycling—embrace Zero Waste.

• Respect protected areas and breeding seasons; avoid colony/nesting disturbance.

• Don’t buy, keep, or trade wild animals or products; comply with CITES rules.

• Report illegal hunting/trafficking or online sales of wildlife.

• Don’t release or abandon exotic species; avoid invasives.

• Support local NGOs, research, and community co-management.

• Share conservation knowledge—especially with youth—to build long-term awareness.

Governments & Institutions (Key Actions)

• Strengthen habitat connectivity (ecological corridors); protect/restore wetlands, grasslands, forests.

• Enforce anti-poaching; regulate shipping lanes and fishing gear; monitor pollution/invasive species.

• Promote community benefits (eco-tourism revenue, livestock-wildlife coexistence, compensation schemes).

• Build cross-border cooperation for migratory routes and shared river basins.

Final Note

These 34 species are only a glimpse of Argentina’s broader conservation challenge. Protecting them safeguards ecosystem stability and a shared natural heritage. Every conscious purchase, every report of illegal trade, and every piece of science-based outreach helps keep these species in our future.

animal tags： Argentina