The Program for the Conservation of Marine Wildlife considers as indicator species the Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), Green turtle (Chelonia mydas) and Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens), South American fur seal (Arctocephalus australis) and the Southern Elephant Seal (Mirounga leonina), seeks to ensure a healthy environment where the estuary wildlife of the Río de la Plata and its Maritime Front develop in, minimizing the impact generated by anthropogenic pollution, and in balance with a fishing activity model framed within the guidelines of a ecosystemic approach to fishing.
This Program works comprehensively at a scientific, educational and management level, along two main lines: the Project for the Rescue and Rehabilitation of Marine Wildlife in the Río de la Plata and the Project From the City to the Sea, both of which are currently under development:

Project for the Rescue and Rehabilitation of Marine Wildlife in the Río de la Plata
This project was initiated with the main objective of dealing with river incursions and strandings of marine mammals in the riverside sector of Río de La Plata. The rescue and rehabilitation activities are carried out in coordination with national, provincial, scientific authorities and other civil society actors.
Project From the City to the Sea
In recent years, scientific knowledge on the subject of marine pollution with plastic waste of urban origin has increased at the local level, making it possible to refer to this problem just over 200 km from the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, downstream of Río de la Plata. Several works have demonstrated the impact that these residues have on some species of fish, mammals and sea turtles, as well as on the river estuary and riverine environment.
The Project addresses the problem of Solid Urban Waste (mainly plastic) in the aquatic environment and its impact on biodiversity, for which it seeks to raise awareness in society in order to promote effective cultural change in consumption habits and management of household waste.
Through this Program, we seek to:
Update information on the status of the threats faced by wild populations of marine wildlife (indicator species) within the region that is the object of conservation.
Achieve greater visibility of the impact of environmental pollution on aquatic wildlife and the coastal landscape, within the area of ​​the Río de la Plata Estuary, the Maritime Front and the coastal sector.
Articulate the tasks of marine wildlife assistance in a rescue situation due to stranding or arrival on the coast and rehabilitation of animals, through inter-jurisdictional and inter-institutional cooperation.
Reintroduce animals, whenever possible, in its natural environment throughout the national territory where such actions are carried out.
Integrate and systematize reliable data on events of strandings and arrivals to coasts of marine wildlife, through a specific registry.
Contribute to public information, environmental education and citizen participation in accordance with the network's objectives.
Raise awareness of the problem of fluvial and marine pollution with plastic waste (with emphasis on the Metropolitan Region of Buenos Aires), in order to contribute to generating a cultural change that minimizes the generation of garbage and its impact on aquatic wildlife and the coastal landscape, and strengthen the efforts that are being made at both the governmental and non-governmental levels.
Collaborate in joint work with local, national and international organizations, both governmental and non-governmental, to promote the participation and development of public policies related to the conservation of marine wildlife and its environment, with emphasis on responsible consumption, reduction of the generation of plastic waste and the correct management of urban solid waste.
Status and achievements
In 2018, a Southern Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome) entered Ecoparque and in 2019 a South American fur seal (Arctocephalus australis) did so, both were translocated to an aquarium on the Argentine coast to carry out their process of rehabilitation and subsequent release in that area.
The rescue tasks that occurred during these years were mostly carried out in conjunction with Ecoparque´s Wildlife Rescue Center.
Regarding Ecoparque´s infrastructure, in 2018 the construction of the Marine Fauna Rescue Center was completed for the reception and rehabilitation of the individuals that are the object of conservation of this program.
On the other hand, within the framework of the Project From the City to the Sea, the Interpretation Center "Exploratory of Río de la Plata" was developed on Ecoparque, through which it seeks to raise awareness among the general public about the negative consequences that domestic habits have in relation to the environmental deterioration of the different hydrographic basins of the Metropolitan Region of Buenos Aires, the Río de La Plata and its Maritime Front, including the route of Urban Solid Waste until reaching the river and the way in which this harms the environment and the associated marine wildlife.