Page 241 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Argentina

P A T A GONIA  PB
P A T A GONIA  239

paynemili, thought to be an It was created in 1940 to
important link in the evolution provide a protective habitat
of dinosaurs to birds. The for the area’s large population
fossilized remains of these of black-necked swans,
and other finds are on display which today number over
at the center. 2,000. Located in the western
reaches of Neuquén province
Environs and surrounded by volcanic
Around 62 miles (100 km) south - desert, this scenically stunning
west of Centro Paleontológico park also provides refuge to
is Plaza Huincul, excavation site over 200 other bird species,
of Argentinosaurus huinculensis including large colonies of
(see pp236–7), the largest A dinosaur skeleton at Museo Municipal wading and aquatic birds
dinosaur to have ever been Ernesto Bachmann such as grebes, sandpipers,
discovered in the world. Visitors coots, ducks, and flamingos.
can see its huge fossilized unearthed in the area. Museo These can be sighted in their
skeleton at the town’s Museo de Sitio is situ ated 2 miles thousands along the nature
Municipal Cármen Funes. (3 km) south of the town’s trail that hugs the western
center, where on the shore of an shore of the park’s largest body
E Museo Municipal artificial lake the large footprints of water, the Laguna Blanca.
Cármen Funes of the herbi vorous dinosaur They can be observed at close
Ave Córdoba 55. Tel (0299) 496-5486. Iguanodon lay pre served. More quarters particularly during the
Open 9am–7pm Mon–Fri, such foot prints can be observed southern hemi sphere’s spring
10:30am–8:30pm Sat, Sun, & hols. 4 miles (7 km) north of Villa El season, when the elaborate
& 8 7 Chocón at Cañadon Escondido. courtship rituals take place.
The best time to visit the
E Museo Municipal Ernesto lagoon is in the morning when
Bachmann it is far less windy.
Accesso Centro Commercial. Tel Linked by the same trail,
(0299) 490-1230. Open Jan–Mar: Laguna Verde, another large
7am–9pm daily; Apr–Dec: 8am–7pm lake within the national park,
daily. & under 6 free. 8 Spanish is also populated by large
only. 7 colonies of colorful flamingos
E Museo de Sitio and is an important stopover
Ruta Nacional 237. Open 9am– site for migrating shorebirds.
A dramatic roadside sign outside the small 6:30pm daily. 8 Swans are present all year
town of Villa El Chocón round but birdlife is best
p Villa El Chocón a Parque Nacional observed between November
and March.
Laguna Blanca
Road map B4. 50 miles (80 km) SW Activities within the
of Neuquén. * 1,500. @ from Road map B4. 93 miles (150 km) W of park include trout fishing but
Neuquén. n (0299) 155-413002. Neuquén. @ n Ejército Argentino only by permit, which can be
∑ chocon.gov.ar 217, Zapala, Neuquén, (02942) 431- bought at the visitors’ center.
982.  ∑ pnlagunablanca.com.ar Camping is possible on the
The small settlement of Villa El western shore of Laguna
Chocón was purpose-built in Covering 44 sq miles (113 sq Blanca, although daily buses
1967 to provide housing for the km), this national park is a run to and from the park from
workers of the nearby hydro- haven for keen ornithologists. the nearby town of Zapala.
electric dam. It remained
entirely anonymous until 1993
when local car mechanic and
amateur paleontologist Ruben
Carolini unearthed the vir tually
complete skeleton of the largest
carnivorous dino saur ever
known to have walked the
planet. The 100-million-year-old
fossilized skeleton of the
enormous 10.5 ton (9.5 tonne),
46-ft (14m) long Giganotosaurus
carolinii (see pp236–7) is the star
display at the town’s Museo
Municipal Ernesto Bachmann,
along with myriad other fossils A flock of flamingos at Parque Nacional Laguna Blanca

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