Doctor Guillermo Mann Base

The base “Dr. Guillermo Mann” is one of the three bases managed by the Chilean Antarctic Institute (INACH) on the White Continent. It was inaugurated in 1991 and is located at latitude 62° 27' 00" South and longitude 60° 47' 00" West and located at Cape Shirreff, Livingston Island, South Shetland Archipelago.

The Mann base has allowed the generation of knowledge in both terrestrial and marine biology, and disciplines such as geology and glaciology. Since the refuge is located in a protected area, access requires a special permit.

Toponymy

The name of the base originates in honor of Guillermo Mann, a prominent Chilean academic. He graduated as a Veterinarian from the University of Chile with the report titled “Chilean Mammals.” He carried out his career at the University of Chile, the Ministry of Agriculture and also in scientific societies and private institutions. He played a fundamental role in the teaching of Zoology within the aforementioned study house. (1)

History

The importance of installing the “Dr. Guillermo Mann” arises from the declaration of Cape Shirreff as Specially Protected Area No. 11 in 1966 at the request of Chile, as a consequence of the pinnipedia census carried out by researchers from the University of Chile, supported by the INACH and by the Chilean Navy, during the XX Chilean Antarctic Expedition of the 1965-66 season. Later, in 1990, at the request of Chile and the United States, it was declared a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI No. 32) and in 1994, CEMP Site (Ecosystem Monitoring Program Site), mainly due to the recovery of the breeding colony of sea lions (Arctocephalus gazella). At the same time, in 1991, it was declared a Historical Site, at the request of Chile and Spain, due to the historical and archaeological investigations of Chileans and Spaniards, on the sinking of the Spanish ship San Telmo, in the aforementioned cape, on September 4, 1819.

Operation