The Biodiversity and Protected Areas Service (SBAP) launched the national "Guardians of Nature" campaign, according to CNN Chile. Members of the public can vote to choose four native wildlife species from ten candidates, which will become official symbols of Chilean biodiversity.
The launch took place during the sixth Meeting of Protected Areas and Gateway Communities. According to the outlet, the aim is to raise awareness of caring for local ecosystems and bring people closer to the country's wildlife.
SBAP is the public agency responsible for conserving biodiversity and managing the country's protected areas. Its national director, Tomás Saratscheff, explained why several species are being chosen instead of just one: "Our country has extraordinary biological diversity, which we could not represent with a single species".
Saratscheff added that the campaign seeks to encourage people to learn about and care for biodiversity. "This campaign is an invitation to learn, play and recognize the value of the nature we share", he said.
The candidates represent different ecosystems across the country. The land animals competing are Darwin's fox (Lycalopex fulvipes), the guanaco (Lama guanicoe), the monito del monte (Dromiciops gliroides), the huemul (Hippocamelus bisulcus) and the puma (Puma concolor).
The birds include the Chilean flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis), the Juan Fernández firecrown (Sephanoides fernandensis) and the tavake or red-tailed tropicbird (Phaethon rubricauda). The marine species are the South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens) and the black dolphin or Chilean dolphin (Cephalorhynchus eutropia).
To vote, visit sbap.gob.cl and click "VOTE HERE". Then choose your four candidates, press "Continue to registration", enter your details and submit your vote.
The source does not specify when or how the results will be announced. Voting will remain open until October 30.
