A soy oil spill from a Bolivian truck has triggered an environmental emergency in Lauca National Park, near Chungará Lake. The National Forestry Corporation (Conaf) confirms the death of six birds and risks to dozens more in this sensitive high-Andean ecosystem. Authorities activated a yellow alert and are coordinating rescue and cleanup efforts.
The incident took place last week when a truck with Bolivian plates overturned on Route 11-CH, spilling bulk soy oil near Chungará Lake in the Arica y Parinacota Region. This site is part of Lauca National Park, designated a World Biosphere Reserve, renowned for its fragile high-Andean biodiversity.
The National Service for Prevention and Response to Disasters (Senapred) activated a yellow alert, mobilizing public institutions, private companies, and volunteers to limit damage to wildlife. According to Conaf, out of 80 birds potentially affected, 17 received on-site care in the initial days. Eleven were rescued alive: eight puna ducks, two giant coots, and one cormorant, all in stable condition when handed over to the Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG).
However, six birds did not survive the contamination: two coots, three small whistling ducks, and one puna duck. These species are vital to the local ecosystem, which is highly susceptible to chemical disruptions. Sandro Maldonado, head of Conaf's Protected Wild Areas Department, stated: “No ha habido nuevos rescates”, though constant monitoring continues. He added: “La prioridad será evaluar el plan de trabajo que entregará la empresa encargada de la extracción del aceite, para continuar lo antes posible con las labores de rescate de fauna”.
Cleanup efforts intensified with Spill Tech's involvement since Monday, assessing the contaminated area. The operation features two boats to sweep the lake shore at one meter depth, a volunteer team, and over 20 containers for contaminated material. From Thursday to Saturday, 2,900 liters of oil were removed manually, at a rate of 1,000 liters per day.
Logistical support comes from organizations including Norte OutDoor, Bitumix, ENGIE, NGO Aka Pacha, NGO Matter of Trust, Aquatic Ecology Laboratory, Chilean Navy, Road Directorate, and Putre Municipality. Damage is also reported to vulnerable flora, such as grasslands, festuca orthophylla, shrubs like tola and suputula, and xerophytic formations like yareta (Azorella compacta), species that take years to recover.