Los Lípez. 27/06/90; Potosí; 1,427,717 ha; 22°10'S 067°24'W. Reserva de Fauna Andina. The site, first designated in 1990 as Laguna Colorada, is located in the Bolivian Altiplano between 4,200 and 6,000m altitude  the area covered was significantly extended as of 13 July 2009 from 51,318 to 1,427,717 hectares and now includes a complex of high Andean endorheic permanent saline, hypersaline and brackish lakes, as well as bofedales and geothermal wetlands. These wetlands sustain such migratory birds as Phalaropus tricolor and Calidris bairdii, who use the wetlands as staging sites for roosting and feeding. The Horned Coot (Fulica corneta) and Darwin's Rhea (Rhea pennata garleppi), a very threatened subspecies, are also present. In addition, ca. 25% and 50% of the global population of the Andean flamingo (Phoenicoparrus andinus) and James's Flamingo (Phoenicoparrus jamesi), respectively, concentrate in this area. There are also threatened non-avian species such as the endemic frog Telmatobius huayra, the Andean Mountain Cat Leopardus jacobita, and the colocolo Leopardus colocoloi. Due to its landscape beauty and natural attractions the site is the most visited protected area in Bolivia (ca. 70.000 tourist/year), which has caused negative impacts on the lakes. Mining represents another important threat. The Ramsar site covers two of the 14 priority sites of the Wetland Network of Importance for Conservation of High-Andes Flamingos in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Peru. Half of the Ramsar site is protected under the National Andean Wildlife Reserve Eduardo Avaroa. Added to the Montreux Record, 16 June 1993, removed from the Record, 7 August 1996. Ramsar site no. 489. Most recent RIS information: 2009.

Provincias Sud y Nor Lípez