How a corner of Argentine Patagonia went from 40,000 sheep and abandonment to a wildlife sanctuary

For decades, it was a vast sheep ranch. Today, this corner of Santa Cruz, Argentina, protects thousands of penguins, guanacos, foxes, and other species along the Atlantic coast.

A century ago, Monte León National Park was a working ranch. Today, it is a protected natural area home to penguins, guanacos, and other wildlife. Photo: X @ParquesOficial

In a remote corner of Argentine Patagonia, where the vast steppe meets the sea, an extraordinary transformation has taken place. The same land that was once home to tens of thousands of sheep has become a sanctuary for wildlife.

This is Monte León National Park, located in Santa Cruz Province. Covering more than 62,000 hectares (153,000 acres) and approximately 30 kilometers (19 miles) of coastline, the park brings together marine and terrestrial ecosystems that support a remarkable diversity of species.

Before becoming a protected area, this land operated as a major sheep ranch throughout much of the 20th century.

From 40,000 sheep to protected land

Back in 1920, more than a century ago, Monte León Ranch had exactly 40,535 sheep, 300 horses, eight cows, and one bull.

Monte León National Park in Santa Cruz covers 62,000 hectares and 30 kilometers of coastline, where marine and terrestrial ecosystems coexist. Photo: X @argentinapatago

For decades, sheep farming provided a livelihood for the people living and working on the ranch. Over time, however, livestock numbers declined. Between the 1970s and 2000, the ranch's sheep population ranged from 11,000 to 20,000. By the end of 2001, all the sheep had been removed from the property.

That was when Fundación Vida Silvestre Argentina, using funds provided by the Patagonia Land Trust, purchased the ranch. In 2004, Monte León National Park was officially established.

In 1920, Monte León Ranch had 40,000 sheep. Today, the area is home to 40,000 breeding pairs of Magellanic penguins, along with many other species. Photo: X @inconsilio

Since then, the land's primary purpose has shifted to preserving natural habitats and protecting the species that inhabit this stretch of Patagonia's coastline.

From 40,000 sheep to 40,000 pairs of penguins

According to Argentina's National Parks Administration (APN), Monte León is home to one of the country's most important colonies of Magellanic penguins, with more than 40,000 breeding pairs.

So far, 134 bird species and 28 mammal species have been recorded in Monte León National Park. Photo: X @argentinapatago

But penguins aren't the only animals thriving here. The protection and recovery of natural habitats have also helped conserve a wide variety of Patagonian wildlife. Researchers have recorded 134 bird species and 28 mammal species within the park.

Among them are some of the region's most iconic animals, including guanacos, foxes, sea lions, and pumas.

Bringing nature back

Monte León National Park has become a living example of how a landscape can change for the better when intensive human activity comes to an end.

The protected area combines Patagonian steppe, coastal habitats, and marine environments. Photo: X @ProbaPatagonia

During the years when sheep farming dominated the landscape, the presence of animals was closely tied to economic activity. With the creation of the national park, however, the focus shifted toward conserving ecosystems and protecting biodiversity.

Today, the park's more than 62,000 hectares encompass vast stretches of steppe, coastal habitats, and marine environments, making this corner of Patagonia a remarkable sanctuary for nature and wildlife conservation.