Mixed-breed guarding dogs reduce conflict between goat herders and native carnivores in Patagonia

Goat husbandry is the main rural livelihood in the northern Patagonian steppe of Argentina, and herders kill any carnivore that they believe threatens their herds, including the endangered Andean cat (Leopardus jacobita). We evaluated the use of local, mediumsized, mixed-breed guarding dogs to reduce predation and retaliatory killing of carnivores. We interviewed 64 herders, and delivered 37 puppies to 25 herders. Most economic loss was attributed to cougars (Puma concolor) and culpeos (Lycalopex culpaeus). All herders with dogs that reached the working stage reported reduced rates of predation, and 88% reported that they no longer kill carnivores. Among herders who were not using dogs, 89% of them reported increased predation, and 100% of them confirmed that they kill carnivores. Mixedbreed dogs can be effective in reducing both predation losses and retaliatory killing, but their success depends on the ability and willingness of herders to train and use them properly

Capturing and radio ear-tagging neonatal vicuñas

We used and evaluated the effectiveness of a hand-capture technique to capture and mark neonatal vicuñas (Vicugna vicugna) at San Guillermo National Park, west-central Argentina. We captured and marked 98 neonates during 5-31 January, 2008-2010. Capture success was 92% (106 attempts), with stationary marking teams being 2.5 times as successful in detecting and capturing neonates as mobile ones. Of neonates captured, 99% were 20 minutes old typically were too mobile to capture. Sex ratio at capture was biased toward males (1.5:1), while mean body weight and neck circumference were similar between sexes. Generally, mothers remained in sight during, and immediately reunited with their neonates after, capture. Four percent of the mothers ran out of sight but then returned, while 2% failed to return. Capture-related mortality was 5%, with maternal abandonment in response to capture activities (n = 3) the leading cause. Ear-tag transmitter had minimal effects on subsequent ear position. The success of our technique likely was based on terrain (flat) and vegetative conditions (short grass), high densities of animals for monitoring (particularly in a meadow), and a predictable, pulsed birth season. This hand-capturing method was efficient for handling and marking neonatal vicuñas. Combined with the use of ear-tag transmitters, it allows the study of important perinatal processes, including movement and mortality.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Annex 1: Analytic Framework for Assessing Factors that Influence Sustainability of Uses of Wild Living Natural Resources

In December 2001 the SUT and NORAGRIC published Lessons Learned: Case Studies in Sustainable Use comprising the six case studies that use an earlier version of the Analytic Framework as a starting point from which to analyze specific use regimes and management systems. This document is the original Analytic Framework used. The purpose of developing this Analytic Framework is to promote a better understanding of the factors that affect sustainability of the use of living natural resources. This understanding relates to the application of a methodology based on the interaction of different factors that comprise this model. This interaction assumes a multidisciplinary approach that allows for an empirical characterization of the sustainable use of living natural resources from biological, ecological, social, economic, political, cultural and historical points of view

Lessons of 15,000 Years of Human–Wildlife Interaction for Conservation in Patagonia in the 21st Century

Humans arrived in the Patagonia region of southern South America in the late Pleistocene period, ca. 15,000 years ago. A few centuries later, during a period of rapid warming, the megafauna went extinct in Patagonia, as well as some smaller species, like the guanaco (Lama guanicoe), in the southern portion of the region. As in other regions, extinctions probably occurred due to a combination of effects of climate and direct and indirect impacts of humans on wildlife communities. We reviewed recent archeological and genetic-based discoveries about numbers and distributions of humans and wildlife and their early interactions and used them to draw lessons for current debates among managers and scientists. Recent discoveries, for example, help us understand (1) the population limitation mechanisms and other interactions involving guanacos, livestock, forage, predators, and scavengers; (2) the magnitude of wildlife movements and the need for landscape-level planning for conservation; (3) the importance of indirect effects of human activities on wildlife communities; and (4) the compounded effects of human activities and climate change on wildlife. We believe these lessons drawn from deep time and recent history can help define new priorities for research and management and inform our conservation vision for the 21st century, a period when dramatic climate change impacts will add challenges to a region subject to a century of overgrazing and other anthropogenic pressures

Guanaco (Lama guanicoe) mortality by entanglement in wire fences

Wire fences are widely used in rangelands around the world and may have a negative impact on wildlife that varies among species and habitats. The guanaco (Lama guanicoe) is the largest Patagonian ungulate and though entanglement in wire fences is frequently reported, its impact on guanaco populations has not been previously evaluated. We estimated annual mortality rate of wild guanacos due to entanglement in wire fences and evaluated whether the frequency of entanglement was age-dependent in the two wire-fence designs traditionally used in Patagonian sheep ranches. We found that annual yearling mortality on fences (5.53%) was higher than adult mortality (0.84%) and was more frequent in ovine (93. cm high) than bovine (113. cm) fences. Most guanacos died entangled by their legs in the highest wire when trying to jump over the fence. Our results suggest that guanacos are more likely to die due to fence entanglement than ungulates studied in other regions. Indirect effects of wire fences should also be considered as they may act as semi-permeable barriers for guanaco populations. We suggest removal of unnecessary wire fences and replacement by guanaco-friendly fences, like high-tensile electric fences that may reduce mortality and barrier-effect on guanaco populations.Fil: Rey, Andrés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; ArgentinaFil: Novaro, Andres Jose. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentina. Wildlife Conservation Society; Estados UnidosFil: Guichon, Maria Laura. Universidad Nacional de Luján. Departamento de Ciencias Básicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

¿Por qué necesitamos planes de manejo integral de depredadores en la Patagonia?

DOSSIERPrácticamente desde que el ser humano inició sus actividades de producción de diferentes tipos de ganado para su alimentación y subsistencia, comenzó un conflicto con los distintos carnívoros que coexistían en la región que habitaba. Se proponen herramientas para promover la coexistencia entre los carnívoros silvestres patagónicos y la ganadería en un escenario de conflicto ancestral

Effects of livestock on the feeding ecology of endemic culpeo foxes (Pseudalopex culpaeus smithersi) in central Argentina Efectos del ganado sobre la ecología trófica del zorro culpeo (Pseudalopex culpaeus smithersi) (Carnivora: Canidae) endémico del centro de Argentina

Livestock can affect the feeding ecology of carnivores either directly, by becoming potential prey, or indirectly, by modifying selection of other prey. Selection of other prey is modified through the negative effects of livestock on food and cover, which reduces density and increases vulnerability of wild prey. Pseudalopex culpaeus smithersi is an endemic subspecies of culpeo fox of central Argentina that is persecuted due to predation on livestock. We studied the direct and indirect effects of livestock on P. c. smithersi's feeding ecology by evaluating its diet, prey availability, and prey selection in two areas with different livestock abundance-a national park and an adjacent sheep and cattle ranch in the Achala grassland plateau. We studied diets from feces and used conversion coefficients to estimate prey numbers and biomass consumed. Culpeos preyed primarily on native rodents (cavies and cricetines) according to both prey numbers and biomass. The differences in culpeo diet, prey availability, and prey selection between sites were strongly associated with effects of livestock. Culpeos consumed more livestock carrion and birds at the ranch, and tucos (Ctenomys sp.) only at the park. Livestock density was high at the ranch and low at the park, cricetine and tuco densities were significantly higher at the park, and European hare (Lepus europaeus) densities were similar between sites. According to prey numbers consumed culpeos did not appear to be selective, but according to biomass they consumed cricetines more and hares less than expected at both sites and sheep more than expected at the park. Livestock may reduce densities and increase vulnerabilities of cricetines and fossorial tucos in Achala by soil trampling that destroys burrows, competition for forage, and reduction of grass cover<br>El ganado puede afectar la ecología trófica de los carnívoros en forma directa, siendo una presa potencial, e indirecta, modificando la selección de otras presas. La selección de otras presas es modificada a través de efectos negativos del ganado sobre el alimento y la cobertura, reduciendo la densidad e incrementando la vulnerabilidad de presas silvestres. Pseudalopex culpaeus smithersi es una subespecie endémica de zorro culpeo del centro de Argentina que es perseguida debido a su depredación sobre ganado. Estudiamos los efectos directos e indirectos del ganado sobre la ecología trófica de P. c. smithersi evaluando su dieta y disponibilidad y selección de presas en dos sitios con diferente abundancia de ganado-un parque nacional y una estancia adyacente de ovinos y vacunos en el pastizal de Pampa de Achala. Estudiamos la dieta a partir de heces y utilizamos coeficientes de conversión para estimar el número y biomasa de presas consumidas. Los culpeos depredaron principalmente sobre roedores nativos (cuises y cricétidos) de acuerdo con el número y la biomasa de presas consumidas. Las diferencias en consumo, disponibilidad y selección de presas entre sitios estuvieron fuertemente asociadas con efectos del ganado. Los culpeos consumieron más carroña de ganado y aves en la estancia y tucos (Ctenomys sp.) únicamente en el parque. La densidad de ganado fue alta en la estancia y baja en el parque, las densidades de cricétidos y tucos fueron significativamente mayores en el parque y las densidades de liebre europea (Lepus europaeus) fueron similares entre sitios. De acuerdo con el número de presas consumidas los culpeos no parecieron ser selectivos, pero de acuerdo con la biomasa consumieron más cricétidos y menos liebres que lo esperado en ambos sitios y más ovejas que lo esperado en el parque. El ganado podría reducir las densidades e incrementar la vulnerabilidad de cricétidos y de los cavícolas tucos en Achala a través del pisoteo del suelo que destruye cuevas, la competencia por forraje y la reducción de la cobertura de pasto

Sexual dimorphism and sex identification in the South American culpeo fox, Pseudalopex culpaeus (Carnivora: Canidae)

Sexual dimorphism is analysed in skulls of the culpeo fox, Pseudalopex culpaeus, through multivariate and univariate approaches. The species shows a moderate level of sexual dimorphism with most cranial variables being, on average, 5% larger in males. Equations are obtained for inferring the sex of skulls of juvenile, subadult and adult culpeo foxes. The equations are based on a reduced set of variables obtained from stepwise discriminant analyses by age class on skull measurements. The discriminant power of all functions is estimated on the basis of a jackknife reclassification procedure. Correct classification is higher than 85% for both sexes, and is similar to, or higher than, the values reported for other foxes. The use of the discriminant function pooling subadult and adult skulls is rec ommended because it shows a high percentage of correct classification without the necessity of ascribing a collected skull to the subadult or adult age class before sex estimation. The equations provide an easy method to estimate the sex ratio of wild populations of this furbearer species using the abundant carcasses discarded throughout north-western Patagonia as a result of the intense hunting of the species. The information on sex ratios will help in the study of population dynamics and when monitoring the harvest of culpeo foxes.Peer reviewe