Patagonia Expedition

[William L Franklin]

            PATAGONIA RESEARCH EXPEDITIONS
    Have you ever considered sojourning in the 
Patagonia of South America, where the majestic Andean 
mountains meet the mighty southern oceans and the 
Strait of Magellan?  Can you imagine being surrounded 
by awe-inspiring peaks, when in one instant the roar of 
a distant avalanche interrupts your thoughts... and in 
the next a soaring Andean condor lifts your spirits 
with the wind?
    If so... come join us this year on our research 
expedition to Patagonia in the shadows of the Andes at 
the tip of the continent, where we will be spending two 
weeks in the field living among and studying 
free-living guanacos and pumas in their native 
environment.  You will be an active participant in an 
internationally known wildlife research project.  If 
you enjoy the out-of-doors, like to camp and would like 
to become closely acquainted with the mountains, 
people, and wildlife of Patagonia, this trip is for 
you.  Qualifications: must be between the ages of 15 
and 70, enjoy traveling, be in good health, have a 
spirit of adventure and learning, and be able to 
partially control your shouting-with-joy in the face of 
breath-taking scenery.  Dates: 17 November - 3 December 
1994 (17 days). 
    My students and I have been involved in field 
studies in southern Chile since 1976 studying Patagonia 
guanaco and puma behavioral ecology.  Our study area is 
Torres del Paine National Park in the remote wilds of 
southern Chile, one of the most beautiful and 
undiscovered corners of the world.  This is also the 
homeland of thousands of free-ranging guanacos, the 
progenitor of the llama.  It will be summer on the 
Patagonia, that critical season when guanaco females 
are giving birth, males are defending territories, and 
courtship and mating are underway.  Our major objective 
is to hand capture newly born guanacos, tag and collar 
them with telemetry transmitters.  Last year we tagged 
100! 
    This is not a tour, but a working vacation in an 
exotic setting.  Our tents are our cozy homes.  Weather 
is often windy on the Patagonia, but spring-like in 
temperature.  Be prepared for inspiring scenery and 
having a fabulous time.    
    Patagonia Research Expeditions is a part of THE 
PATAGONIA PROJECT, a non-profit organization that 
promotes ecological research and wise stewardship of 
Patagonia. Expeditioners will receive a complete, 
in-depth research expedition briefing that includes the 
details of our itinerary, maps of where we are going, 
our research plans and methods, your personal clothing 
and equipment list, copies of popular and scientific 
articles about our research, and information about tax 
deductibility.
    The cost of the expedition is $2400 (which includes 
meals, double occupancy lodging, ground transportation, 
and airport taxes), plus your airfare which depends 
upon your point of origin. We will make everyone's 
international flight reservations so we can travel 
together and give us the lowest possible group airfare.  
    Well, that's a quick overview of what we are going 
to be doing on our sojourn to the south.   For sneak 
previews of the Patagonia guanaco and puma, see the 
July 1981 and January 1991 issues of National 
Geographic magazine.  Also keep an eye open for the 
NOVA television special "Land of Llamas".  If you have 
any questions, please E-Mail, FAX, call or write.  Feel 
free to share this announcement with friends who might 
be interested in joining us.  We look forward to an 
exciting and rewarding experience.  See you in 
Patagonia!

Saludos,


William L. Franklin, Ph.D.
Director - Patagonia Research Expeditions
E-Mail: WLF at IASTATE.EDU
TEL & FAX: 515-292-8384



               





















        































                      
-- 
William L Franklin
wlf at iastate.edu