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A gently rolling park of grassland and open forest, the Reserva Provincial Parque Luro (Dec-Feb Tues-Sun 9am-8pm; March-Nov same days 9am-6pm; $1) lies 35km to the south of Santa Rosa. Originally created as a preserve for hunting game, the park was bought by the province in 1965 and is now a haven for wildlife in a region where hunting is still widespread. Its seven and a half square kilometres are home to native pumas and nandues but you're actually much more likely to catch sight of red deer, imported from Europe for hunting at the beginning of the twentieth century. The park's other exotic inhabitant is the wild boar, though this surprisingly shy creature is harder to see. Though both species are now protected within the park, escapees have multiplied throughout the rest of the province where they once again face the business end of a rifle. Over fifty species of birds visit the reserve, and on a quiet day you have a good chance of seeing many of them, including the white-browed blackbird, with its startling bright red breast; the brilliant white monjita and the fork-tailed flycatcher. Look out, too, for large flocks of the loro barranquero, a brightly coloured parrot, and noisy budgerigars, common in Argentina though often regarded as a nuisance for their ear-piercing squawk. Flocks of flamingoes also gather around the park's lake, the Laguna del Potrillo Oscuro; less welcome are the vicious mosquitoes which also hang out there. On sunny weekends, the park is often dominated by picnicking day-trippers; if you fancy doing something a little more strenuous than eating, follow one of the short signposted walks . None of them takes more than half an hour or so; most worthwhile is the one to the Punto Panoramico , from where there are good views of the park. At the centre of the park lies the San Huberto residence, a clunky white mansion whose permanently closed green shutters lend it a rather spectral air. Known as El Castillo , the mansion was built by Pedro Luro, son of one of the founders of Mar del Plata and the park's creator. The mansion's still-furnished interior can be visited on regular guided tours; ask at the park's Centro de Interpretacion where there are good photos of the reserve's wildlife. Past the information centre, a road leads round to a picnic area, where there is also a confiteria. The park authorities are considering allowing camping in the park; but check with the tourist office in Santa Rosa before setting out with your tent. Local bus , El Zorzal, goes to Parque Luro twice daily from Santa Rosa (8am & 1.30pm).
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