Torres del Paine National Park is habitat to a wide variety of ecosystems, making it a prized asset within Chile’s protected natural wildlife areas. The park’s biodiversity of flora and fauna is due to four types of ecological communities:

• Patagonian steppe
• Pre-Andean shrubland
• Magellanic deciduous forest
• Andean desert

These communities are home to over 120 bird species, 25 mammals, and 270 of flora. Of all the different types of animals that are found in this Biosphere Reserve, 5 species standout amongst the others.

This list includes the puma, condor, huemul, guanaco and ñandú.  The elusive puma cousin of the Cougar is usually hidden as it watches over its vast territory. This lonesome creature round the nights, hunting and keeping surveillance of its territory.

The condor is a symbol, featured on the coat of arms. It lives in the highest Andean peaks, can fly over 7 thousand meters high and glide for hours without movement. This daytime scavenger is amongst the biggest birds on the planet.

The easiest animal to see in the park is the guanaco. This South American cameloid is found in great number roaming the plains in different groups.

The ñandú, also known as the rhea, is a member of the ostrich family. It is 1.5 meters tall and can reach 35 kilometers per hour. It can often be seen pasting among the sheep and guanaco herds.