Capybaras
The largest rodents.
Evelyn Proimos — CC BY 2.0 · No machine-readable author provided. Taragui assumed (based on copyright claims). — CC BY-SA 3.0 · TitiNicola — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Ulises Icardi — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Norbertoturista — CC BY-SA 4.0
The Iberá Wetlands, from the Guaraní for «bright water», are a vast mix of marshes, lakes, ponds and channels in central Corrientes province, 15,000 to 20,000 square kilometres in all, one of South America's most important freshwater reserves and the second-largest wetland in the world after Brazil's Pantanal. A large part is protected by a provincial reserve, in place since 1982, and a national park. Its wildlife is easy to see: capybaras, the world's largest rodents, small caimans, marsh deer and more than 350 bird species. The small village of Colonia Carlos Pellegrini, founded in 1927 on the shore of Laguna Iberá, is the main gateway, with boat trips among floating islands and reeds and short trails for spotting monkeys and birds. Park entry is currently free; boat trips are paid. The road to Colonia Carlos Pellegrini is a long gravel run from the town of Mercedes and can be hard after rain, so check conditions. Mosquitoes are plentiful in summer.
The largest rodents.
Among floating islands.
By the reeds.
Colonia Carlos Pellegrini on Laguna Iberá, Corrientes province
Colonia Carlos Pellegrini on Laguna Iberá, the base for boat trips and trails; the road there is gravel from the town of Mercedes.