The Atacama Desert where ALMA is under construction is the habitat of various animals. In the lakeside of the Salar de Atacama (Atacama Salt Lake, 2300 m asl) located southwest, about one hour drive from OSF (2900 m asl), we can see wild flamingos and Andean Avocet. Also, we sometimes find donkeys and vicunas on the road from OSF to AOS (5000 m asl). These lovely animal are living vigorously even in a harsh natural environment where the annual rainfall is less than 100 mm and the amount of oxygen is only about a half of that at sea level.
[Photographed by Teruomi Tsuno (NAOJ)]