Respect for life
Every living being deserves respect and protection. We work with the conviction that all life has intrinsic value, beyond its utility to humans.
Our foundation
About Fundación Luan
A story of love for the land, wildlife, and communities of the Araucanía
Our history
We were born to protect what we love
Fundación Luan was born in 2012 in Lonquimay, a small town nestled in the heart of the Araucanía, at the foot of the Lonquimay volcano. Its name comes from the Mapudungun word "luan", meaning guanaco, one of the great wild camelids that once inhabited these lands before being displaced by human pressure.
It was founded by a group of biologists, park rangers, and local community members who, concerned about the accelerating degradation of native habitats and the increase in illegal wildlife trafficking, decided to join forces to create an organized and effective response to this silent crisis that few national media bothered to cover.
In its early years, the foundation operated with very limited resources, working from a small facility provided by the Lonquimay municipality. However, the passion of its founding team and the unconditional support of the Mapuche and settler communities in the area allowed the organization to grow steadily. In 2015 they inaugurated their first Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, equipped to treat raptors, foxes, coypus, and small mammals of the region.
Over time, Fundación Luan expanded its work into scientific research, environmental education, and sustainable tourism, establishing alliances with Chilean universities—mainly the Universidad de La Frontera and Universidad Austral de Chile—and with international conservation organizations such as WWF Chile and BirdLife International.
Today, more than a decade after its founding, Fundación Luan continues to be a reference in native wildlife conservation in the Araucanía, with active programs in animal rescue, species monitoring, environmental education, and ecotourism. Each year, hundreds of people join its mission as volunteers, donors, or symbolic godparents of one of the magnificent species we protect.
Mission
Conserve and restore native wildlife and ecosystems of Lonquimay and the Araucanía, through the rescue and rehabilitation of wild animals, scientific research, environmental education, and collaborative work with local communities, promoting harmonious coexistence between humans and nature, and integrating the ancestral knowledge of the Mapuche people with contemporary scientific knowledge.
Vision
To be recognized as the leading native wildlife conservation organization in southern Chile, leading a network of ecological corridors that guarantees the survival of emblematic species of northern Patagonia, and serving as a model of participatory management that integrates scientific knowledge with ancestral Mapuche wisdom, contributing to future generations inheriting a territory rich in biodiversity and in balance with its human communities.
What guides us
Our values
Scientific rigor
Our decisions are based on solid scientific evidence. We believe in research as a fundamental tool for effective and lasting conservation.
Community rootedness
True conservation is only possible with the commitment of local communities. We work from within, alongside the people who share territory with the wildlife we protect.
Transparency
We are accountable to our supporters and to society. We publish detailed information on the use of every donated peso and the impact of our work.
Interculturality
We recognize and value the ancestral knowledge of the Mapuche people about nature. Our conservation integrates the newen (vital force) that beats in the Mapuche worldview.
Perseverance
Conservation is long-term work. We stand firm in the face of challenges, knowing that every step contributes to a legacy that will endure for future generations.