Advances in ecology and conservation of Hippocamelus species in South America
J. M. Smith-Flueck A B L M , J. Barrio C , N. Ferreyra D , A. Nuñez E , N. Tomas F , J. Guzman G , W. T. Flueck A B L , A. Hinojosa H , F. Vidal I L , G. Garay J L and J. Jimenez K LA DeerLab, C.C. 592, Bariloche (CP8400), Argentina.
B Institute of Analysis of Natural Resources, Universidad Atlántida Argentina, Mar del Plata.
C Centro de Ornitologia y Biodiversidad, Sta. Rita 105, of. 202, Urb Huertos de San Antonio, Lima 33, Peru.
D Fundación Bioandina, Pasaje Trahunco 110, lote 5a. Barrio El Oasis. San Martin de los Andes (CP8370), Neuquén, Argentina.
E Dirección General de Biodiversidad y Areas Protegidas, Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Agua, Av. Camacho 1471, La Paz, Bolivia.
F Calilegua National Park, Jujuy, Argentina.
G Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad de Concepción, Los Ángeles, Chile.
H Corporación Nacional Forestal, Patrimonio Silvestre, Claudio Arrau 738, Chillán, Chile.
I Fundación Huilo-Huilo, Vitacura 2909 of. 1112, Las Condes Santiago, Chile.
J Paraguaya 126, Punta Arenas, Chile.
K Laboratorio de Vida Silvestre, Universidad de Los Lagos, Casilla 933, Osorno, Chile.
L Huemul Task Force, Scientific Committee, IUCN/SSC.
M Corresponding author. Email: j.smith@deerlab.org
Animal Production Science 51(4) 378-383 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN10287
Published: 8 April 2011
Abstract
A symposium was held for the two South American deer of the genus Hippocamelus: the taruka, H. antisensis and the Patagonian huemul, H. bisulcus. The taruka is recognized as vulnerable and the huemul as endangered on the IUCN red list. To reverse the current trend and prevent further imminent declines, 13 recommendations were proposed. For taruka, national recovery plans should be developed and implemented in each country it inhabits, and hunting must be managed. For huemul’s lack of recovery, much still remains unknown about the causal factors and their overall significance: culpeo fox (Pseudalopex culpaeus) appear not to be an important mortality agent of heumul fawns, whereas habitat suitability may be the fundamental cause for the declines. Research should be conducted to better evaluate the interplay of threats and their relative importance.
Additional keywords: huemul, taruka, taruca, bisulcus, antisensis, deer, habitat suitability, nutrition, protected areas, private land, distribution, behaviour, socioecology, osteology, ex situ, predation, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Peru.
