Patagonia Park: a Decade of Huemul Conservation

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PATAGONIA PARK: A DECADE OF HUEMUL CONSERVATION

TOMPKINS CONSERVATION WILDLIFE BULLETIN SEPTEMBER 2016

EDITORIAL CONTENT

Patagonia National Park, PAGE 01 Editorial: Patagonia National Park, an idea is born an idea is born

PAGE 05 In 2004, Conservacion Pata- conservation lands with two na- Data Sheet: Souther Huemul gonica, a non-profit founded by tional reserves, Jeinimeni Lake (South Andean Deer) Kristine Tompkins that is now National Reserve and Lake Co- PAGE 08 under the umbrella of Tomp- chrane (or Tamango) National kins Conservation, emerged on Reserve into a single protected The beginnings of the Huemul Project in the future Patagonia National Park the Chilean conservation scene. area—the future Patagonia Na- Conservacion Patagonica’s first tional Park. PAGE 12 undertaking was a landmark The future Patagonia Park Huemul habitat and density proposal to establish Patago- region—popularly known as in the Chacabuco Valley

nia National Park, through the Chacabuco Valley and Entra- PAGE 14 purchase and eventual dona- da Baker—is located in an eco- Population status of the huemul and tion of the Estancia Valle Cha- logically significant area of Pa- limiting factors in the Chacabuco Valley cabuco (68,000 hectares), one of tagonia, in the transition zone PAGE 18 the largest cattle ranches in the between Andean forest and the Puma and huemul interactions Aysén Region of southern Chile. Patagonian Steppe. For nearly The park would be created by thirty years, the Chilean gov- PAGE 20 joining the privately assembled ernment has recognized this Interactions between dogs and huemuls TOMPKINS CONSERVATION WILDLIFE BULLETIN SEPTEMBER 2016

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Domestic cattle and livestock as threats and limiting factors for the huemul

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Mineral salts and the huemul

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The red deer and the huemul

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Numerical changes in the huemul population in the future Patagonia National Park

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Ranger monitoring and threat control: The case of huemul in the Chacabuco Valley

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Cochrane: The huemul refuge

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The people behind the monitoring Landscape in the future Patagonia National Park. and protection of the huemul: • Daniel Velásquez • Delmiro Jara area as a priority site for biodi- ecotourism infrastructure. The PAGE 33 versity conservation. This des- park will become a major tour- Acknowledgements ignation has been ratified by ist destination in the Aysén re- various committees of experts gion, and will in turn boost the and scientists along with the local economy and contribute to Chilean Ministry of Environ- the sustainable development of ment as well as those responsi- the region and surrounding lo- ble for protected areas (CONAF, cal communities. the National Forestry Corpora- Among the conservation tion) and the protection of nat- objectives in the future park, a ural resources (Environmen- key focus has been the recov- tal, Agriculture and Livestock ery of the southern Patagonian Services). huemul deer (Hippocamelus bi- With the creation of Pata- sulcus), a native and endangered gonia National Park, Tompkins species with a world population Conservation’s goal of conserv- today estimated at less than ing these significant ecosys- 1,500 individuals. The low pop- tems and species in perpetuity ulation of the huemul, an iconic will be greatly advanced. Equal- species that appears on Chile’s ly significant is the impact the national shield, is emblematic park will have on the local econ- of the global loss of biodiversity omy through the creation of due to habitat loss and the status high-quality, publicly accessible of crisis faced by natural spaces.

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Fortunately, the area around Lake Cochrane, including the northern sector of the park, is home to approximately 10 percent of the estimated world population of the species today, thus presenting a crucial site for long-term huemul protection and recovery. Twenty years before the Cha- cabuco Valley was privately acquired for conservation, the Co- chrane (Tamango) Lake National Reserve was about to be degazetted as a protected area. Fortunately, in the early 1980s, the first huemuls were observed in the area, which changed the fate of the reserve, as well as the relationship between the community in the town of Co- chrane and these iconic Andean deer. In the mid-1990s, CONAF began implementing habitat protec- tions for the huemul of the north shore of Lake Cochrane and surrounding areas. Tamango, at that time was already a globally recognized site for the huemul population. Even so, these areas were still Male huemul in the Lenga forest in the Chacabuco Valley. used by the neighboring ranches of the Chacabuco Valley, where more huemul’s habitat were in perfect ernmental organizations (NGOs), than 30,000 sheep and 3,000 cattle harmony with scientific recom- and civil society in general, includ- were being raised. mendations indicating that the ing researchers and conservation- The possibility of realizing priority sites for huemul conserva- ists. Moreover, we are proud of the CONAF’s vision of securing land tion should include suitable habi- innovations we have pioneered in and habitat conservation for the tat along slopes, near or between huemul conservation. huemul in the Lake Cochrane re- populations of the species, with In these ten years of commit- gion materialized in 2004, through the goal of ensuring the expansion ted work by the Patagonia Park the acquisition of Estancia Valle and dispersal of the population. Wildlife Team—including rang- Chacabuco by Conservacion Pata- Although there is still a ways ers, veterinarians, technicians, gonica. From that moment, Con- to go, over the years we have seen volunteers, and other partners— servacion Patagonica comple- a significant increase in interest in Conservacion Patagonica has de- mented CONAF’s efforts in the huemul protection. We are pleased veloped various methods for mon- area, providing an increase in hab- that Conservacion Patagonica has itoring and preserving huemuls itat and care for the area’s huemul enhanced the work undertaken by in the area. This has been made population. Efforts to increase the state institutions, other nongov- possible thanks to significant -fi

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nancial support from donors and ward: to achieve widespread coop- ing of the relationship between Pa- institutions who recognize the eration and societal will to protect tagonian huemuls and their pred- precarious status of the huemul this endangered deer. Fortunate- ators. We have been surprised by population in the face of natural ly, awareness and action have in- the discovery of livestock diseas- and human threats. creased considerably, and every es in the huemul and the impact of We see this as the ideal time day people join us in this crusade. red deer passing through the prin- to share the achievements and les- It has been ten years since a cipal huemul habitat. These are sons of the work that our team has few timid huemuls were spotted in some of the topics we will cover in done, and is to doing to address areas hitherto intensively occupied this first bulletin in a series on Pa- these threats. Furthermore, we by domestic livestock. We do not tagonia Park’s wildlife. wish to use this moment to invite know of any similar experiences in We hope you find this publi- all interested parties to join us in other parts of Patagonia, where an cation of interest and will look for- this vital effort to prevent the hue- extensive livestock operation has ward to future issues that explore mul’s slide toward extinction. left space for natural restoration the protection and rewilding of Pa- The leadership of Douglas and and the promotion of huemul re- tagonia Park. ◊ Kristine Tompkins, founders of covery. We have achieved a sus- the Patagonia Park project, who tained upward trend in deer pop- Cristián Saucedo Gálvez saw the urgent need to protect the ulation and habitat, in an area that, Director of Conservation, huemul and its remaining habitat, only a few years ago, was occupied Patagonia Park, Conservacion Patagonica, Chile has been key to our progress. The by a large ranch. Along the way, we goal is ambitious but straightfor- have gained a better understand-

Male huemul deer in a winter landscape at the Patagonia Park.

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DATA SHEET

Souther Huemul (South Andean Deer)

Considering the marked re- muls were found from Ran- duction in the huemul’s dis- cagua (34º S) to the Strait of tribution and population num- Magellan (53° S). Today they bers, with estimates of less than are extinct in several regions Scientific Name: 1,500 individuals in the world, of their former range and their Hippocamelus bisulcus the species is classified by the populations are fragmented.

IUCN as “Endangered.” To pro- There is a small core group in Size: Up to 1 meter (3,2 ft.) high at vide greater guarantees of pro- the Nevadas de Chillán area (36° the withers; weight can reach 90 ki- tection, both Chile and Argenti- S), which is very isolated. The lograms (198 lbs.). na have declared the Huemul as species reappears in the south- a “Natural Monument.” ern part of Palena, with the re- Habitat: Lenga (beech) forests and Chile is home to three spe- gions of Aysén and Magallanes ñirre scrubland. Also found in high cies of native deer: pudú, taru- being the main refuges for the steppe areas. ca, and huemul. The latter has a species. robust appearance, and it can be In Argentina the huemul Geographical distribution: The hue- observed alone or in small fam- was formerly distributed from mul is an animal exclusive to South- ily groups. Males are character- southern Mendoza (33º S) to the ern Chile and Argentina and Patago- ized by having a black spot in province of Santa Cruz (49º S). It nia in general (see the distribution the shape of a Y on their faces is now extinct in the Mendoza map). Its original distribution has and antlers, usually bifurcated, Province and the northern por- been reduced dramatically. The spe- which can reach 30 centimeters tion of Neuquén, with the La- cies lives in isolated and fragment- long and are shed in the win- goons of Epulafquen area (36° S) ed areas of Andean Patagonian forest ter. Females do not have antlers being the northernmost reach and periglacial areas, both in protect- and usually can be found in the of the species and the provinces ed areas and on private and publicly company of that season’s off- of Chubut and Santa Cruz rep- owned properties. spring and an adult male. Hue- resenting the most promising mul have dense, thick fur, mak- areas for huemul persistence Food: The huemul is a browser spe- ing them excellent swimmers. and recovery, ensuring the fu- cies, consuming varying herbs and Historically, in Chile, hue- ture of the species. ◊ leaves of shrubs and trees, depending on latitude and season.

Rut: Autumn

Gestation period: Females gestate for approximately seven to eight months.

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Fawns: Only one fawn is born per parturition, with a uniformly colored coat (without spots). Fawns’ spots remain dormant for the first two weeks to provide camouflage from predators. They suckle from their mothers for short periods at a time. Huemul young are very vulnerable to and de- fenseless against attacks by domestic dogs.

Threats: Reduction and habitat mod- ification (replacement of native veg- etation), livestock ranching and associated diseases, poaching, dog attacks, introduction of invasive species (red deer and wild boar), infrastructure projects (roads, pow- er plants, and mining), and careless tourism development.

If you encounter a huemul

Remain calm, be patient, and stay still, giving the huemul (or group) a few minutes to get used to your presence, and always to leave it an escape path.

Record the experience with photo- graphs while keeping your distance so that you can observe calmly and do not pressure the animal.

Share photos online specifying the location of the sighting and share the observation with ranger staff, profes- sionals, and people who care about huemul conservation. TOMPKINS CONSERVATION WILDLIFE BULLETIN SEPTEMBER 2016

Map: Distribution of the huemul in Chile and Argentina. The black cells indicate the recorded presence of the species (taken from Vila et al., 2006).

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The beginnings of the Huemul Project in the future Patagonia National Park

For decades there has been a gen- ly conserve the threatened hue- an area of approximately 80,000 eral consensus on the need to pre- mul population and habitat in the hectares (198,000 acres) of pro- serve the Chacabuco Valley and Chacabuco Valley region provid- tected land. Entrada Baker but, given the land’s ed strong motivation for Douglas This was a unique opportunity status as a traditional cattle ranch, and Kristine Tompkins to propose for both huemul conservation and conservation seemed a remote the creation of the future Patago- to expand Aysén’s protected areas, possibility. However, as a product nia National Park Aysén in Chile. ensuring the physical continuity of of historical overgrazing in the Through their instigation, Con- two national reserves managed by area and ever-lower prices for live- servacion Patagonica purchased CONAF and adjacent to the Cha- stock and wool, the former owners Estancia Valle Chacabuco (68,000 cabuco Valley (Figure 1). The Lake decided to sell their property. hectares) in 2004, later adding ad- Cochrane (Tamango) National Re- The opportunity to active- ditional properties in order to form serve to the south and the Jeini- meni Lake National Reserve in the north. The proposed park would establish and strengthen a “bridge and continuous natural corridor” between the protected areas managed by CONAF, contributing to the numerical recovery and conservation of huemul, as well as the beech forests and steppe stretching along the Chacabuco Valley. This opportunity might not have arisen again, so it was well worth undertaking the challenge to establish a new, world-class national park in Chil- ean Patagonia. Today, that vision is as strong as it was when origi- nally conceived and it now melds perfectly with a governmental development strategy for the region based on conservation, nature tourism, and parks. Emerging with the 2004 vision to create the future Patagonia National Park and advance huemul conservation, was the high priority given to the gradual removal of do- Figure 1. The future Patagonia National Park formed by the former Chacabuco mestic livestock from the estancia Valley estancia and the Jeinimeni and Lake Cochrane National Reserves. (or ranch). Livestock elimination

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was vital in order for the huemuls We began removing cattle and to recover territories and portions fencing in zones containing suit- of forest that have been lost due to able huemul habitat, especially more than 100 years of ranching in those made up of lenga (beech) for- the area. est and brush around the northern With the incremental trans- portion of Lake Cochrane. Through formation of the estancia into a these measures, we sought to con- park, a series of scientific ques- nect fragmented areas where we tions related to the species high- knew huemuls were present, such lighted (Figure 2) emerged: as Tamango and La Baguala (see • With livestock removal and Figure 3), areas of the ranch where the elimination of related fences, livestock dominated, with only the would the huemul population ben- rare huemul sighting. efit and increase? We expected that the wooded • If current law against puma areas of the former estancia, locat- and fox hunting was enforced un- ed between the two sites, would be der the new conservation-focused attractive to the huemul, present- ownership (unlike during estancia ing a quality refuge for them. We The late René Millacura (1972– 2014), the first years), what effects would these saw that these areas, given their park guard hired to monitor huemul. predators have on the huemul pop- ideal location, and with a little time ulation? Would the lack of predator and patience, had the potential to the huemul project was clear. Our hunting increase deer predation? become important habitats; thus priority was providing good condi- Would the puma and fox threaten we focused our initial work there. tions (secure, high quality habitat) huemul persistenceFOOD WEB and INrecovery? A PATAGONIANFrom theECOSYSTEM outset, the objective of for the huemul to recover as soon as possible in those territories that were previously degraded as a result of the livestock operation. Because our information about Puma huemul occupation of and movement around the area was very limited, coming from occasional Fox observations of huemuls in some areas of the ranch, it was necessary to first form a ranger team to begin finding and monitoring the popu- Sheep lation in earnest. We contacted and invited René Millacura to under- take the challenge and responsi- Hare bility of becoming the first ranger to monitor huemuls, and after Huemul a few months, Daniel Velasquez, Guanaco who at that time was working on Eats young and adults Eats only young huemul research, joined the team in the Tamango area. Delmiro Jara, Figure 2. The Patagonian ecosystem’s food chain. who for many years had served as

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Figure 3. Sectors of huemul populations monitored by Conservacion Patagonica (Puesto Baker, Puesto Huemul, Puesto Tejuela) and by CONAF (Tamango and La Baguala) surrounding Lake Cochrane. a gaucho (or cowboy) at the es- tus of that population and to de- mango, we decided, beginning in tancia, became the third member tect changes that occurred over 2005, to extend this type of mon- of this team. These three individ- time. Thus began the wonderful itoring to certain zones around uals brought their combined years and challenging fieldwork and the Lake Cochrane in the future Pa- of field experience in the area, creation of an excellent team, ful- tagonia Park. This would allow us knowledge of huemul ecology, and ly committed to the work ahead. to combine the demanding job of most importantly, a commitment Concurrently, we needed to searching for and observing hue- to care for and protect these en- determine locations for the rang- muls in the field, with the indi- dangered creatures. ers to live and find shelter from vidualized information generated The information regarding the elements. To do this, we de- from the monitoring of radio-col- huemuls provided by the gauchos cided to restore inherited puestos, lared huemuls. It thus became pos- who had worked on the ranch for or rustic “huts” from the estancia sible for rangers to create a single years was key in directing the ini- era; specifically, Puesto Tejuela, database of all huemuls, includ- tial fieldwork. We planned jobs Puesto Huemul, and Puesto Bak- ing those that were not marked, based around different sections of er, which were located in areas and assign a name to each animal the park and scheduled data-gath- near the huemul habitat (Figure 3). based upon individual character- ering trips in search of hue- These three sites became the base istics that distinguished them. muls and evidence of their pres- of operations from which rang- Through this process we created a ence, including hoofprints, feces, ers organized their routes and re- monitoring system in which local bones, antlers, fur, or marks on ceived volunteers who assisted in rangers played a major role. This trees. It was necessary to recog- the work. system worked in conjunction with nize the huemul’s terrain, where Building upon the experi- further efforts to improve habitat they were, how many there were, ence we had gained earlier with conditions, including the remov- their gender and estimated age, in CONAF, capturing and monitoring al of fences, removal of domestic order to determine the initial sta- huemuls with radio collars in Ta- livestock (and thus prevent trans-

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mission of potential diseases), as erally difficult to find them in the well as the removal of dogs asso- grassy plains. Therefore, locating ciated with livestock husbandry. an unhabituated huemul could of- During extensive tours on foot ten take almost a full day and sev- or horseback in search of huemuls eral hours of hiking. or their transmitter signals, rang- Gradually, the job of follow- ers carried—in addition to basic ing tagged huemuls began to in- equipment such as a notebook, GPS volve a significant portion of unit, and binoculars—a receiver time, effort, and dedication tak- and antenna for radio-telemetry. ing away from the routine work of This allowed the ranger team to the rangers. In turn, the huemuls closely monitor certain tagged an- became accustomed to the pres- imals and record the information ence of their solitary yet perma- obtained about huemul movement nent guardians. The classic track- and habitat occupation. ing combined with radio-tracking Huemul live in small groups, provided a key strategy to monitor usually fewer than five individu- huemul group population num- als, depending on the season. Ad- bers and their movements, and ditionally, they live in low den- made it possible to more accurate- sities, that is, a few individuals ly estimate the reproductive suc- relative to the total area, prefer- cess of some individuals and the Male huemul with a radio collar ring to occupy forest and moun- survival of both adult and juvenile in the Chacabuco Valley. tain environments, making it gen- huemuls. ◊

Park guard Daniel Velásquez using radio telemetry by Lake Cochrane.

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Huemul habitat and density in the Chacabuco Valley

Over the years, we have been able grazer, feeding on a larger volume Huemul sector), sightings were rare, to verify the distinct preference of grasses and other plants that likely because of the livestock ac- that the huemuls have for the grow close to the ground. tivity in the area. Over the years, it beech forest and brush environ- Both male and female hue- became possible to observe a grad- ment, combined with rocky terrain muls are territorial, forming small ual increase in the number of hue- and steep slopes. In these environ- family groups. Our monitoring muls in the area, signifying a nearly ments there is a greater diversity data shows that the areas where fourfold increase in huemul densi- of plant species to feed upon and the huemul live in Patagonia Park ty, from 0.35 huemuls per square a lower risk of predation. Hue- range between 400 and 1,200 hect- kilometer in 2006 to 1.3 huemuls muls typically avoid expanses of ares in size (Corti, 2008; Gill et al., per square kilometer in 2015. These grassland and Patagonian steppe, 2008). Although there may be some densities are some of the highest which are generally occupied by degree of overlap, huemul tend to recorded, and are possibly typical guanacos, the area’s most abun- restrict their groupings to certain of places that have reached their dant large herbivore. The huemul individuals. The territoriality of the carrying capacity, less only than deer has a wide and varied diet yet huemul may mean that in a given the numbers recorded in Bernar- it is also selective, focusing on buds area, resident dominant animals do O’Higgins National Park. This and tender leaves of herbs, shrubs, limit the arrival, permanence, and may be related to the fact that the bushes, and trees during each sea- settlement of new huemul. huemul is not a species that forms son. Because of this habit, the hue- When we first started working herds or flocks but instead lives in mul is considered a browser spe- on huemul habitat improvement in small groups that rarely reach as cies, unlike the guanaco which is a the Chacabuco Valley (at the Puesto many as six individuals.

Male and female in Lenga Forest, one of the huemul’s preferred habitats in the Chacabuco Valley.

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Possibly due to the high density of huemuls in Puesto Huemul– Tejuela, it has been possible to observe that some male youth and adults (and likely females) do not establish territories but instead disperse away from their birth- place. Those animals that disperse are key to maintaining connectivity between the huemul subpopu- lation of the Cochrane Lake basins in the south, with that of the Cha- cabuco Valley to the north. Identi- fied dispersal has varied in length, A female huemul taking care of her fawn. with distances ranging from 2.5 to 5.5 kilometers, far exceeding typi- was found with a group of huemuls electric dam. This huemul became cal huemul movements. 16 kilometers northwest of where yet another symbol of conserva- One of the most notable cases he was born. The area that Silen- tionists’ fight to protect the Bak- of such movements was seen with cio had chosen as his home hap- er River and the Patagonian region the individual we named “Silen- pened to be the exact location on from river-killing hydroelectric cio,” who was born at the mouth of the Baker River where HidroAysen development. ◊ Lake Cochrane and five years later aimed to build a massive hydro-

The huemul known as “Silencio,” who, after moving outside of the park, became established in a private estate on the banks of the Baker River in the area of the proposed HidroAysen Project.

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Population status of the huemul and limiting factors in the Chacabuco Valley

Conscious of the aforementioned Numbers of Huemul methods of monitoring, which in- Puesto Huemul – Tejuela 2006-2014 cluded rangers and radio tracking, 20 we decided to concentrate our work in two specific areas of the Cha- Adult Females cabuco Valley: Puesto Huemul-Te- Offspring juela and Puesto Baker, compris- 15 Adult Males ing a total area of approximately 75 square kilometers. Here, in 2005 and 2006, we first recorded the 10 presence of small numbers of huemul, at the time not exceeding half a dozen widely dispersed animals 5 in either the Puesto Huemul-Te- juela sector and in the Puesto Bak- er sector. 0 We did not have prior detailed 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 historical information regarding Figure 4. Demographic trends of huemuls in the sector known as population numbers and threats Puesto Huemul-Tejuela (adjacent to the Tamango Reserve). This figure to huemuls in the area. Instead, demonstrates the overall increase in population and the gradual we were basing our information increase in the proportion of males within the population. on descriptive accounts. Season by season, as a result of the permanent and systematic work of rang- Numbers of Huemul and Cattle ers in these sectors, we recorded Baker River Sector 2006-2015 information regarding huemul be- 30 havior and population changes, as Huemul well as factors affecting mortality. 25 Between 2006 and 2014 in Cattle the Puesto Huemul-Tejuela sec- 20 tor we were able to observe a clear pattern in the huemul population. 15 There has been a continuing upward trend in the number of indi- 10 viduals, from 6 to 26 adults (Figure 4), representing a more than four- 5 fold increase. Additionally sur- prising was the fact that the males 0 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 accounted for twice the number of Figure 5. The negative relationship between the number females during this population of cattle and the huemul in the Baker River sector. rise.

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In the region surrounding the Cause of Adult Huemul Mortality (%) Baker River we detected an ini- Puesto Huemul – Tejuela 2008-2015 (n=11) tial upward trend in the number of huemuls from 5 to 19 adults until 2009. From 2010, as a result of 9.1 irregular livestock operations in the area, some of the groups dispersed to private land, away from Dogs 45.5 monitored regions. This reduced Pumas the population in the local Bak- 45.5 er River area to around 8–10 an- Disappeared imals, a number that in recent years has remained relatively stable, although livestock con- tinues to present a negative and Figure 6. Adult mortality factors for huemul in the Puesto limiting factor, as can be seen in Huemul-Tejuela sector of the Chacabuco Valley. Figure 5.

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One important aspect of Con- servacion Patagonica’s huemul Huemul Fawns Born (%) monitoring program was to un- R.N. Tamango and Puesto Huemul – Tejuela between 2008 and 2014 (n=65) derstand the factors contributing to huemul mortality. Between 2008 and 2015, for the Puesto Hue- mul-Tejuela sector, as seen in Fig- 25 ure 6, we found that a similar pro- 13 portion of adults (45 percent) were 33% reach killed by their natural predators adult age (pumas) as disappeared or lost 87 their tags, making them no lon- 75 ger observable. Of particular note Male Female was the impact of domestic dogs on almost 10 percent of the monitored huemuls. These dogs, introduced predators originating mainly Figure 7. Percentage of huemul fawns born in the Lake Cochrane from the town of Cochrane, were region, including young spotted in the Puesto Huemul Tejuela responsible for a large proportion and Tamango Reserve regions between 2008 and 2014. of huemul deaths. In terms of the annual survival of adult huemuls living in the Puesto Huemul-Tejuela region, the values recorded reach close to Causes of Fawn Mortality (%) 90 percent, similar to those pre- Puesto Huemul – Tejuela 2008-2014 (n=14) viously measured in the Taman- go Reserve by the Darwin Huemul Project (Saucedo & Gill, 2004) and 7.7 Corti (2010). As such, it did not ap- pear that the overall adult com- 30.8 Fox ponent of the population was un- Poaching der threat. Rather, the survival of adult females became highlighted Puma as the most important component 53.8 Sickness for the overall maintenance of and 7.7 increased numbers in the huemul population. Huemuls begin to reproduce after three years and females give Figure 8. Percentages of differing causes birth to only one fawn per year. It is of fawn mortality in the Puesto Huemul-Tejuela therefore very important to know region between 2008 and 2014. if the fawns survive, since the like-

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lihood of the species’ long-term survival depends upon overall population growth. Between 2008 and 2014 in the Puesto Huemul-Te- juela region of the Chacabuco Val- ley, we determined that the annual survival rate of fawns approached 50 percent, which is higher than the Corti (2010) estimate for the Tamango Reserve. After analyzing the data regarding fawns born in the Lake Cochrane Reserve and Puesto Hue- mul regions between 2008 and 2014, it was determined that 75 percent of fawns born were male and 25 percent were female (Fig- ure 7). Additionally, only one-third of the monitored offspring reached adulthood, 13 percent of which were female. Note that these results come from a sample of fawns born in the Lake Cochrane huemul population, and if this rate of mortality was widespread, it could impact the huemul’s recovery in the entire area. By examining the causes of huemul fawn mortality in the Puesto Huemul-Tejuela region between 2008 and 2014, we were ators in the region, represent the monitored area has continued to able to determine that the major- main source of mortality to adult rise, despite the permanent pres- ity of mortalities were associated huemuls and their young, a natural ence and impact of predators. This with natural predator activity, with and normal fact of life in this eco- highlights the fact that, while pre- foxes responsible for about 31 per- system’s food web. This situation is dation has an effect on the popu- cent of the predations and pumas similar to what has been observed lation, it likely does not threaten responsible for 54 percent (Figure in nearby regions such as the Ta- its long-term survival. However, 8). The remaining 15 percent of the mango National Reserve by Gill et due to the present reality of dra- fawn deaths were not due to natu- al. (2004) and Corti (2008), and, in matically decreased huemul num- ral causes, and were instead asso- the far northern huemul habitat of bers relative to pre-European set- ciated with human activities such the Nevados de Chillán, VIII Region tlement of the region, it is prudent as hunting and livestock disease. (Lopez et al., 2011). to continue and increase huemul Pumas and foxes, native pred- The huemul population in the population monitoring. ◊

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Puma and huemul interactions

Under natural conditions, the hue- mlu has evolved behaviors that al- Prey Amount Percentage low it to effectively evade their two Guanaco 980 79.5 main natural predators: the culpeo fox, which exclusively attacks hue- Sheep 45 3.7 mul fawns, and the puma, which, in addition to attacking offspring, Hare 187 15.2 preys upon adult deer. Successful Huemul 9 0.7 coexistence between the huemul and their predators has existed in Fox 1 0.1 the Patagonian ecosystem for more Caiquén 3 0.2 than 10,000 years. The adaptation of the huemul Armadillo 7 0.6 to live in small groups, in low densities and remain camouflaged due Figure 9. Prey detected in GPS and radio-telemetry to their coloration within the for- monitoring of 29 collared pumas in Patagonia Park between 2008 and 2015 (n = 1.232 ) est and scrub, coupled with their quiet movements (except for rut- ting season), has resulted in a re- ural predation. sion of domestic livestock diseas- duced risk of predation. The fact The huemul has not evolved to es. Consequently, the impact that that the offspring remain alone for have efficient defense mechanisms these factors have on the huemul long stretches between periods of to address some human-associat- populations is extremely import- suckling during the first weeks of ed activities such as predation by ant, for it is in addition to natural life is a clear strategy against nat- dogs, hunting, and the transmis- causes of death. It is essential to

Mortality of Adult Huemul (%) Mortality of Adult Huemul (%) R.N. Tamango 2005-2007 (n=19) R.N. Tamango 2008-2015 (n=21)

10 4,8 19 Dog Dog

20 Poaching Puma 50 Puma Dissapeared 19 Dissapeared Old Age 57,1 20

Figure 10. Mortality of adult huemul in the Tamango National Reserve in the years 2005–2007 and 2008–2015.

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implement effective control mea- cent preference; huemuls repre- Thanks to the monitoring of sures to address these anthropo- sent a mere 0.7 percent of puma pumas, both in Chacabuco Valley genic causes of mortality. kills (Figure 9). and Tamango, we have been able The impact of the puma on the We had been concerned about to verify that there are no exam- huemul is one of the main reasons the extent to which the puma, as ples of puma showing a marked for the initiation of the 2008 pu- the region’s top predator, could selection for predation on hue- ma-monitoring program in the play a limiting role in the per- muls. The huemuls that were Chacabuco Valley and future Pata- sistence of huemuls in the Co- preyed upon had differing physi- gonia National Park. After moni- chrane Lake (Tamango) National cal conditions, ages, and sexes. It is toring 29 pumas, we identified cer- Reserve Area. However, when we therefore hypothesized that these tain patterns with respect to their compare adult huemul killed and are opportunistic and normal in- diet, predation patterns and move- preyed upon by puma for the years teractions, given the role that the ments within the park. A key find- 2005-2007 and 2008–2015, we can puma plays as top and principal ing: The guanaco is the preferred see there were no significant vari- predator of large herbivores in this prey of the puma with an 80 per- ations (Figure 10). ecosystem. ◊

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Interactions between dogs and huemuls

Dogs are one of the major threats to huemul populations. The huemul Fawn Mortality (%) deer generally has limited eva- R.N. Tamango 2005-2007 (n=18) sion and defense strategies when faced with attack and persecution by canids such as domestic dogs. 5.9 5.9 5.9 Dissapeared Through the process of evolution, the huemul today presents behav- Dog iors and habits—such as attempt- 29.4 Fox ing to remain unnoticed, escaping 23.5 predators in a short-distance, or Poaching seeking refuge in steep terrain—to Diseases address the threat posed by pumas and foxes. However, these and oth- Accidents er behaviors, including attempts to 29.4 seek refuge in waterways such as streams or lakes, are not very ef- Figure 11. Percentage of causes of death in fective against dogs. young huemuls in the Tamango National Reserve Unfortunately, throughout our between the years 2005 and 2007. ten years of work, dog–huemul interactions have risen in various ar- During the years 2005–2007, (Tamango National Reserve) and eas around the Cochrane River and the impact of dogs on adult hue- Puesto Baker, where recently they Lake Cochrane. This is the product muls and fawns in the Tamango have only occasionally been ob- of the growth and urban expansion National Reserve was systemati- served. This is directly related to of the town of Cochrane, in con- cally measured. Our research de- evidence confirming that dogs en- junction with the lack of control termined that approximately 30 ter huemul areas and attack adult over domestic dogs, in both urban percent of young huemuls were huemuls and fawns, usually with and rural areas. killed by dogs (Figure 11), equal to fatal consequences (Lara et al, To get an idea of the key threat the percentage killed by foxes. 2012; Lara, 2013; Saucedo and Gill, that dogs pose to the huemul’s Dogs have had a significant 2004; Corti, 2008). survival, see the measure of adult impact on not only huemul mor- Additionally, some dogs as- huemul mortality rate as a result tality but also on the areas now oc- sociated with suburban and rural of dog attacks in the Tamango Na- cupied by the species. Thus, over areas pass through zones where tional Reserve between the years the years, it has been possible to groups of huemuls reside and sub- 2005 and 2015, which ranged up to record the displacement and subsequently pursue them, as has 20 percent (Figure 10). The loca- sequent abandonment, on the part been observed in the Puesto Bak- tion of the reserve, near the city of of the huemul, of areas that they er area. We observe an increase in Cochrane, certainly contributes to had previously frequented, such as this threat with growing concern; this situation. areas close to the Cochrane River data gathered by ranger Daniel

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Velásquez has confirmed the en- croachment of dogs and subsequent deaths of huemul in the Pues- to Huemul area in the winter and spring of 2015. Although dogs only occasionally and briefly enter the area pres- ently comprising Patagonia Park, these encroachments have important consequences due to the high vulnerability of the huemul. More- over, the impact could be that much greater if these encroachments occurred during the deer’s birthing season, seriously affecting the huemul’s survival and the future of the population. The threat that domestic dogs pose to the huemul is a complex problem. Dogs may also threaten human health (as a result of, for example, hidatidosis caused by parasitic infection, animal waste, or direct attacks on people) and the rural economy (from dog predation on livestock). Therefore, approach- ing the problem posed by unsuper- vised and unmanaged dogs requires ongoing work and must involve the active participation and collaboration of the community together with local authorities, institutions, and various organizations. ◊

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Domestic cattle and livestock as threats and limiting factors for the huemul

Since the founding of Conserva- As the program was imple- each animal. Through laboratory cion Patagonica’s huemul conser- mented and as we captured certain analysis we found evidence of hue- vation program in the Chacabuco huemuls in order to equip them mul exposure to domestic livestock Valley, our goal has been to remove with radio collars for monitoring, diseases, specifically bovine viral the fences and domestic livestock we took the opportunity to assess diarrhea (Corti et al., 2013), which (sheep and cattle) in huemul hab- the health status of the huemul and causes miscarriages and births of itat zones. Historical precedents to subsequently generate data. To weak calves, an economic burden have shown these measures as an do this, we performed physical ex- to livestock operations. effective means of assisting hue- aminations and obtained biologi- Our data shows that in areas mul population recovery. cal samples (blood and tissue) from where there previously were livestock in the Chacabuco Valley, almost 8 percent of huemul fawns were born weak and/or died within days of birth. This fawn mortality could be related to this specific bovine diarrhea infection or to other infectious agents originating from domestic livestock. With the support of laboratory work, we’ve observed and diag- nosed cases of huemuls contract- ing sheep scab and sometimes presenting very severe cases with crusting and scaling (González- Acuña, 2009). When the animals contract the ear mites associated with sheep scab, their bodies re- act with secretions and a thicken- ing of their skin, which in turn affects the huemul’s hearing, leaving them more vulnerable to predation by pumas. Therefore, it has become necessary to preform deworming treatments on some of the affect- ed huemuls. To date we have found direct Photographic evidence in 2007 in the Cerro Tamango of direct contact evidence of huemul exposure to between huemul and livestock, highlighting the consequent risk of these two infectious agents, but disease transmission that, in addition to predation, dogs bring. it is quite likely that a number of

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other pathogens are being trans- stock pathogens. This remains a Concern is growing within civil so- mitted from livestock to the hue- focus for further study. ciety, creating a demand for tangi- mul, through either direct or indi- One clear example of anoth- ble actions to protect the species. rect contact. The evidence for this er disease that affects the hue- As previously noted, the pres- is limited as the information is mul has been indicated by more ence of livestock operations in ar- difficult to obtain and the effects than 10 cases in which abscesses eas near the Chacabuco Valley is on the huemul are generally un- and “bumps” have been observed a limiting factor in the numeri- known. In some cases, it could be on huemuls since 2014 in the Cer- cal recovery of the huemul and the that these infections do not cause ro Castillo National Reserve. The maintenance of connectivity be- immediate death to the huemul, bacteria causing caseous lymph- tween deer populations. This is a but reduce their strength and ag- adenitis, which likely originates in result of cattle displacing huemuls gregate contribution to ecosys- the sheep and goats adjacent to the and these areas becoming hotbeds tem health, either through a drop Reserve, was isolated in a couple of infectious pathogens and dis- in the huemul survival rate or a of the animals. Additionally, this ease along with other threats as- reduction in the survival of their disease plays a key role in spread- sociated with livestock, including offspring. ing skin lesions caused by blood- dogs, which are frequently used to Considering that huemuls sucking insects like horseflies. At herd livestock. Dogs negatively af- evolved separately and have simple present, the impact on and mor- fect the huemul by barking, chas- immune systems, some experts tality of huemuls as a result of this ing, biting, and directly hunting speculate that huemuls could be disease is unknown. The situation the deer—adding to the negative particularly susceptible to infec- is beginning to be monitored by factors impacting populations of tion and disease caused by live- pertinent government agencies. huemul in the area. ◊

Summering domestic livestock in huemul habitat.

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Mineral salts and the huemul

As a means of testing the accep- of the females even taught their and recorded evidence that young tance level and effect of offering offspring how to use the mineral females who used the blocks gave mineral salts to the huemuls in salts, as shown in Figure 18. This birth to heavier young. We also ob- their natural environment, our is the first time that anyone has served that some individuals ex- team placed mineral blocks in cer- documented the huemul’s accep- pressed no interest in the blocks. tain areas frequented by huemuls tance of mineral salt blocks even It’s likely that there are certain in the Chacabuco Valley. In order though it has been attempted nu- mineral deficiencies in the na- to reduce the risk of predation, the merous times. tural diet of the huemul and that blocks were frequently moved, es- Although it was not possi- the contribution that these blocks pecially if pumas were detected in ble to quantitatively measure the make can be beneficial in some ca- the area. effect of salts blocks, we did obser- ses, as has been observed in other We were able to observe that ve that the huemuls that accepted species of deer, but there is not several huemuls accepted and used the blocks had healthier coats and enough solid evidence one way or the blocks on a regular basis. Some antlers. Additionally, we observed the other. ◊

Camera trap evidence of a family of huemuls using the mineral block in the Puesto Huemul area of the Chacabuco Valley.

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The red deer and the huemul

There is ample history to suggest this deer arrived from Macías Is- sightings of red dear in the zones that the arrival of exotic species land. The presence of the red deer of Bahía Murta, Puerto Tranqui- such as red deer and wild boar into had an enormous impact on the lo, Puerto Sanchez, Leones Valley, huemul habitat may displace, de- huemuls—affecting their rou- and Tortel. crease, or cause the elimination tine, habitual behavior, and on The red deer, a new and grow- of huemuls. It is not entirely clear occasion the territories they oc- ing threat that has come to stay in how this occurred, yet it has been cupied. It was observed that the southern Aysén, has gradually in- suggested that these negative ef- huemuls grew nervous and fright- creased in distribution into hue- fects are a result of the competi- ened and permanently abandoned mul habitats. This growing incur- tion for resources, territoriality, areas they had formerly and rou- sion requires the implementation and extreme aggressiveness at- tinely occupied. Fortunately, the of action that works within the tributed to the red deer as well as invading red deer remained only framework of the regional hunt- the possible predation of huemul a few days in the area before moving laws, which can be promoted fawns by wild boars. ing south of Lake Cochrane. The by the authorities, as well as ac- Before 2010, the known dis- red deer was recorded days later tive collaboration with the com- tribution of red deer in the south- at a private estate with domestic munity to control the spread of ern portion of the Aysén region livestock. In recent years, how- this species, which is potentially was around the Mañihuales Riv- ever, there have been recorded very invasive. ◊ er and close to Puerto Chacabuco. However, in 2010 red deer, specifically fallow red deer, were introduced from the Los Rios region to Macias Island within the Gen- eral Carrera Lake to establish a breeding center for hunting purposes. This introduction ignored the fact that the deer are excellent swimmers and were likely to escape to the mainland. Addi- tionally, there was no regard for the health risk posed by these deer to huemuls and domestic livestock through the possible spread of pathogens, as the red deer came from a different region of the country (Flueck 2012).

In July of 2012, a male red A photographic record of a red deer interacting with domestic deer was recorded in Patagonia livestock on private land on the south shore of Lake Cochrane, 2012. Park in one of the huemul’s pre- It should be noted that days before, the same deer was photographed in areas inhabited by huemuls. ferred habitats. It is possible that

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Numerical changes in the huemul population in the future Patagonia National Park

In the ten years of monitoring zone, the Tamango reserve, Pues- possible 100 percent population huemul populations by our team to Huemul and La Baguala (Fig- increase, accompanied by an in- of park rangers, we have ob- ure 12). This population was very crease in geographic distribution. served numerical changes as well fragmented and was distributed in In most areas for which data is as changes in the geographical a dispersed manner mainly due to currently available, groups of hue- dispersion of huemuls. Monitor- the extensive livestock ranching in muls have increased, as shown in ing work has gradually elevated the area. Figure 18. However, in the zones our general knowledge about the In 2015, south of the Chacabu- around the town of Cochrane, current and historical presence co River, the population of huemuls which is located outside the future of huemuls in the area of the fu- was estimated to be approximate- Patagonia National Park, huemul ture Patagonia National Park, in ly 120. This increase (Figure 13) is populations have decreased. This the Chacabuco Valley, the Taman- a product of conservation strate- is indicated by the results of the go National Reserve, and the Jein- gies developed over multiple years annual field surveys conducted imeni National Reserve. such as the removal of livestock, in Tamango National Reserve by Until 2005, only scant infor- the establishment of park war- CONAF (2015), and in the area near mation existed on the population dens, fence removal, and efforts the Baker River conducted by Con- numbers along the northern basin to control dogs. These groups of servacion Patagonica (2015). This of Lake Cochrane, from the Baker huemuls are now better connected decrease may be attributed to the River to the border with Argenti- to one another through regenerat- effects of human activities such as na. There was an estimated popu- ing beech forest and brush, species livestock ranching, the introduc- lation of 65 huemuls divided across of flora native to the area around tion of dogs, and hunting. four main areas: the Baker River Lake Cochrane. This signifies a However, it is notable that in

Figure 12. Distribution and estimated population numbers of huemul in the sectors of Lake Cochrane and the Baker River zone, 2005.

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Figure 13. Distribution and estimated of numbers of huemuls in their respective habitat zones surrounding Lake Cochrane and the Baker River, 2015. a few select places the population ect area, a more comprehensive grasses, and neneos thorn bush- size and connectivity of the hue- understanding of huemuls in this es. The forest in the buffer zone mul groups in areas in the south- region is crucial. This would help between the two populations has ern portion (including Tamango to more precisely determine trends been degraded, and in many cas- National Reserve and Chacabu- in the huemul populations and ac- es lost, as a result of 100 years of co Valley) have increased and im- tivities in the northern zone of the livestock ranching, overgrazing, proved significantly. This signifies Chacabuco Valley and some sec- human-caused fires, and logging a real hope for the huemul in the tors of the Jeinimeni Lake Nation- for firewood. future Patagonia National Park. al Reserve. Additional studies in Despite the factors isolating Furthermore, we note that nu- the northern zone would also help the two subpopulations, in the last merous sightings of huemuls have to identify factors that threaten ten years, as a result of our huemul been recorded in sectors not cov- the huemul and would aid in cre- recovery program, there has been ered by systematic monitoring. ating strategies to mitigate those a significant increase in record- Many of these sightings occurred threats. ed sightings of huemuls in tran- in the northern sector of the Cha- Observing the current geogra- sit and their dispersal in areas on cabuco River, specifically on the phy of occupied huemul habitats in the periphery of Nothofagus envi- slopes of Campo Díaz, the Furioso the future Patagonia National Park, ronments (lenga beech forests and River, and Cerro Rey, all part of the it is clear that the species’ distri- ñirres, shrubs). Chacabuco Valley. There have also bution is divided into two subpop- Recorded sightings of hue- been recorded sightings of huemul ulations: the northern population muls in “unusual” or infrequent, hoofprints by hikers and visitors and the southern population (Fig- areas are clear indicators of the in some areas of the Jeinimeni Na- ure 14). Connectivity between pop- historic connectivity between the tional Reserve. ulations has been limited by loss of two subpopulations, which now Considering this increase in habitat, including ñirre, a native has gradually begun its resto- recorded evidence of huemuls in brush plant, and lenga beech tree ration. If the goal is to contribute the northern portion of our proj- forests and zones with coirones, to and strengthen the rebuilding

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Figure 14. Subpopulations of huemul dispersed in the north and south of Chacabuco Valley. Arrows indicate areas for habitat restoration so the connectivity between the northern and southern populations can be reestablished, aiding in gene flow and genetic diversity. of this lost connectivity between private organizations. This effort in the area. The loss of these na- the northern and southern sub- would strive to supporting long- tive ecosystems has had a great populations, the key is to restore term regeneration of native plant effect on the huemuls and their the Nothofagus environments. species—both trees and brush— movement, as well as on a num- While this is an ambitious goal, we through replanting, thereby re- ber of other species dependent believe it can be achieved through covering a network of environ- on these environments for their a joint effort between public and ments lost due to human activity habitats. ◊

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Ranger monitoring and threat control: The case of huemul in the Chacabuco Valley

The achievements of the fieldwork radio telemetry, and controlling gal intrusion of livestock especially conducted in the southern zone of threats to the huemuls, as indi- during the summer pasture season. the Chacabuco Valley, which mon- cated in Figure 15. This extension represents a itors and protects the huemul pop- We seek to replicate this suc- challenge for the rewilding team ulation, provides a valuable learn- cessful model in the northern and at Patagonia Park, but also a great ing model, referred to as “ranger eastern zones of the Chacabuco opportunity to continue restoring monitoring and control of threats.” Valley in order to extend huemul huemul habitat and accelerate the This model was implemented recovery into new geographical species’ recovery. Efforts to con- in three stages, which correspond and ecological areas. These zones trol the entry of domestic livestock to key areas of work by our team: are crucial to the huemul program in huemul habitat must become a developing a conservation pro- because they include extensive priority, given the incompatibili- gram, the permanent presence of areas with favorable habitat, but ty of ranching and native species rangers, tracking of huemuls with they have suffered from the ille- restoration. ◊ CONSERVATION ACTIONS THREATS HUEMUL POPULATION

INITIAL SITUATION IMPLEMENTATION CURRENT SITUATION Predominate threats to the huemul Establishing park rangers Permanent park rangers and the Scarce presence of huemul and the start of monitoring continuous monitoring of tagged huemul Control of threats to the huemul Increase in huemul presence

Figure 15. Model: “Ranger monitoring and control of threats,” implemented in the Chacabuco Valley. TOMPKINS CONSERVATION WILDLIFE BULLETIN SEPTEMBER 2016

Cochrane: The huemul refuge

Just as the huemul typically moves slowly in the forest, the species is slowly gaining popularity in the communities of the Aysén region. The city of Cochrane (3,500 inhab- itants) has been privileged to live in close proximity with the “way of the huemul.”

Located a few kilometers from The huemul has been the symbolic animal of the community of Cochrane the town of Cochrane, the Taman- since 1990. It appears on the flag and in the town logo. go National Reserve, created in the late 1960s, was the first reserve to gonica has actively fostered appre- Conservacion Patagonica has protect huemul habitat. Efforts to ciation for the huemul through var- contributed to the successful devel- protect the species gained mo- ious projects focusing on education, opment of eleven Ruta del Huemul mentum in the 1980s, and in the awareness, as well as local, region- (the Route of the Huemul) events, early 1990s the huemul was de- al, and national participation. consisting of a two-day trek cov- clared a symbol of the community Our outdoor education pro- ering over 20 kilometers that in- by municipal decree. gram, in which 80 percent of the volves the participation of over With the passing of the years, school community of Cochrane 100 hikers walking from the Cha- public consciousness regarding participates, has included the cabuco Valley to the Tamango Na- the status of the Patagonian hue- theme of the huemul and the ne- tional Reserve. It is the oldest and mul has increased considerably, cessity for its conservation and largest outdoor education activity and the number of initiatives and monitoring. At the community lev- in the Aysén region, seeks to raise programs oriented toward huemul el, we have provided information awareness and engage participants conservation has expanded. Con- on the value of the species by ex- in the urgency and the importance servacion Patagonica’s work in the hibiting films and distributing ed- of caring for the huemul, as a sym- Chacabuco Valley has significant- ucational materials. Conservacion bol of the community of Cochrane, ly strengthened existing efforts to Patagonica is an active participant and the landscape it calls home. protect these animals. and member of the Local Adviso- The local government has Together with the Municipal- ry Council of the Tamango Nation- placed many references to the hue- ity of Cochrane, CONAF, and other al Reserve, further advocating the mul in the main square of Cochrane organizations, Conservacion Pata- value of huemul conservation. and has made “The Refuge of the Huemul” its new community slo- gan. The community is now known as one of the best areas on Earth to observe the huemul in its natural setting. This elevated status is ex- ceptional and carries with it a huge responsibility. For this status to remain, it requires a long-term commitment from the community and local authorities to protect and care for the region’s iconic, and beloved, Group of participants to the “Ruta del Huemul” in 2016. huemul deer. ◊

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THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE MONITORING AND PROTECTION OF THE HUEMUL

Daniel Velásquez

Daniel Velásquez grew up in the Daniel is a very skilled gaucho Colonia River Valley area neigh- and an outstanding leathersmith. boring the Northern Icefield of The quality of his leatherwork is south Chile. His parents came widely recognized in the com- from Chiloé to Aysén as pioneers munity of Cochrane, where peo- to live in a very isolated area of ple ordering custom jobs, mainly Patagonia. From an early age he horse tackle and tools. In addition, learned to ride horses and, as he he is a lover of horses and knives. Park guard Daniel Velásquez grew, he began helping out with In 2004, Daniel was part of the family farm, working with cat- the team that captured and moved permanently by Conservacion Pa- tle, cutting firewood, and building the first couple of huemul deer tagonica to continue his research and repairing fences. When he got from Aysén to the Huemul Breed- and, with time and experience to older, he took on jobs associated ing Center of Huilo-Huilo in the become an expert huemul rang- with caring for livestock, shear- Rivers region. Soon after he was er. Daniel has enthusiastically ing sheep, and operated a seafood offered the possibility of joining participated in mountain guide processing plant. At the beginning a research project on the huemul courses with the Patagonia Guide of the year 2000, and for several of the Tamango National Reserve School, as well as in courses in successive summers, he served as as an assistant field technician, botany, archeolog y, paleontolog y, a temporary park ranger for CON- an opportunity he took and which and first aid. AF in Cochrane Lake National Re- marked the beginning of his work Daniel today brings to the serve. with huemuls. He was later hired Patagonia Park team a high level of experience and knowledge of huemul ecology. He is an expert tracker of huemul and other native species. He has participated in numerous huemul captures and possesses unrivaled experience in the radio telemetry monitoring of tagged huemuls. His passion and care for these animals is impressive and conta- gious. As he himself admits, he never thought that he would one day get to work so closely with the huemul. Every summer, Bella, his wife, and their two sons, Dan- iel and Tito, accompany Daniel at the Puesto Huemul. It is a beauti- ful example of a Cochrane family Park ranger Daniel Velásquez with his sons, Daniel and Cristian, committed to the care and protec- while capturing and tagging a huemul in the Puesto Huemul zone. tion of the huemul. ◊

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THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE MONITORING AND PROTECTION OF THE HUEMUL

Delmiro Jara

Delmiro Jara was born in Chile Puerto Guadal. From Puerto Gua- Chico and grew up in the Claro dal he began doing work for min- River and Lake Plomo area where, ing and road construction compa- together with his family, he trav- nies. In the late 1970s he worked eled from Lake Bertrand, either on for several years in the Chacabu- horseback or by paddling in a boat co Valley and in the Municipality and letting the horses swim in the of Cochrane. He returned to the river, a journey which took a lit- Estancia Valle Chacabuco in ear- tle less than an hour. His parents ly 2000. came from Villarrica, from the re- Delmiro is the only current Park guard Delmiro Jara gion of Los Rios, settling first in Conservacion Patagonica em- the Zeballos area, then in Baker, ployee who was working at the is a skilled horseman with great and finally settling in the Lake Estancia Valle Chacabuco in 2004 experience in the management Plomo area. when Conservacion Patagoni- and care of sheep and cattle. His Until age 14, he lived next to ca acquired the property. He then quiet demeanor, thoughtfulness, the Northern Ice Field in Plomo, worked as a gaucho in the Puesto and deep knowledge of the Cha- after which he began his journey Tejuela area, with a charge of over cabuco Valley’s trails makes him through the southern Aysén re- 400 cattle. Previously for the es- a key member of the park rang- gion. He did many field jobs with tancia he had cared for over 3,500 er team tasked with capturing pu- livestock and fences, in farms sheep in the Campo Nuevo and mas (for research purposes) each on the Baker and Nef Rivers and Campo Grande areas. winter. He has been a guide for near Chile Chico, Zeballos and Delmiro, a man of few words, multiple Ruta del Huemul events as well as to multiple groups of children, youth, and older adults visiting the Chacabuco Valley and the area of the future Patagonia National Park. Delmiro is always willing to share his experiences and knowledge from a lifetime in the field. A consummate outdoorsman, Delmiro is an excellent tracker, likes to fish, and has contributed significantly as a ranger responsible for the care and monitoring of huemuls in the Puesto Baker area. Delmiro and his wife Ana Pi- nilla live in the city of Cochrane and have five children: Rody, Pau- Park ranger Delmiro Jara alongside a tagged huemul in the Puesto Baker area. la, Eda, Evaristo, and Mirna. ◊

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Acknowledgements

Conservacion Patagonica’s achieve- dro Isamitt, Omar Ojeda, the late semination of the concept of “Co- ments in huemul conservation have Marcos Ramírez, José Urrutia, Pie- chrane, the refuge of the Huemul.” been possible due to the collabo- ro Caviglia, Javier Subiabre, Jorge The Municipality of Cochrane has ration and commitment of many Abello, and Claudio Manzur. successfully managed funds for institutions and individuals. We Hernán Velásquez deserves a and developed a series of activities would like to sincerely thank all for special mention as the adminis- associated with the huemul and their support, although it is likely trator of the Tamango National Re- the outdoors in general. It has been that our list is incomplete, and we serve for over ten years. Conser- instrumental in ensuring the will- regret inadvertent omissions. vacion Patagonica was pleased to ingness of the teachers and direc- We offer thanks to the Min- support Paulo Corti during his re- tors of the Hernán Merino Correo istry of Agriculture, the Nation- search for a doctoral thesis, which School and the Lord Cochrane Aus- al Forestry Corporation (CONAF), produced new scientific knowledge tral High School to participate in and the Agricultural and Livestock about the huemul in the Tamango environmental conservation and Service (SAG), the government and Chacabuco Valley areas. The huemul-related activities. A spe- agencies that have a direct con- insights, knowledge, and actions of cial acknowledgement must go nection to huemul protection and both men have been invaluable and out to Don Juan Guillermo Opazo, recovery. We would like to high- advanced huemul conservation. director of the high school, for his light the support of veterinarians The Municipality of Cochrane, active participation and support for Dennis Aldridge and Julio Cerda, through Mayor Patricio Ulloa and the Outdoor Education program. as well as other officials such as Javier Muñoz, has played a key role We also appreciate the con- Andrés Gómez, Hernaldo Saldivia, in promoting the Ruta del Hue- tinued support of friends and col- Jaime Gutiérrez, Jorge Pérez, Pe- mul, as well as the vision and dis- leagues such as Rody Alvarez, Lu-

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igi Solís, Fernando Vidal, Verónica Rivera, and Arcilio Sepúlveda. We en Foundation, Manfred-Hermsen Venegas, Ingrid Espinoza, Jorge also appreciate the enthusiasm Stiftung (MHS), and other organi- Molina, Cristian Restrepo, Eduar- of the management and finance zations and anonymous donors. do Pavez, Jürgen Rotttmann, Jim teams located in Puerto Varas and We greatly appreciate the un- Williams, Jimmy Valdés, Wolfram Puerto Montt. conditional support and enthusi- Heise, Felipe Henríquez, Ramón A very special thanks for the asm of Ignacio Jimenez, who urged Henríquez and Rodrigo de los perpetual support provided by us to disseminate the results of Reyes, who share an interest and Paula Herrera and Benjamín and this work, and whose cooperation concern for the status of the hue- Martín Saucedo, who have been was essential in the generation of mul and the conservation of its pillars in the development of this this first bulletin. habitat. Additionally, we appreci- project, enthusiastically joining in Finally, we would like to thank ate the recent appearance of the the cause, even consenting to be all the officials, activists, techni- Cultural Association of Protection separated or distant from family cians, conservationists, scientists, Huemul of Patagonia on the re- for more than one holiday. colleagues, family, volunteers, and gional scene. Conservacion Patagonica’s citizens who, in different ways and Huemul-oriented fieldwork past and present activities to mon- in their own particular styles have was made possible thanks to the itor, conserve, and promote hue- collaborated with us over these commitment and effort of the ex- mul recovery has been made pos- years to stop the huemul’s slide to- perienced team of Conservacion sible thanks to the commitment ward extinction and create a dif- Patagonica park rangers comprised and financial support from ex- ferent future for this extraordinary of Daniel Velásquez, the late René ceptional partners including Ellen creature who symbolizes the wild Millacura, Delmiro Jara, Cristián and Duncan McFarland, the Weed- character of Patagonia. ◊

Daniel Velásquez family in the Lago Cochrane sector.

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REFERENCES

Corti, P. 2008. Organisation sociale, dynamique de population, et conservation du cerf huemul (Hippocamelus bisulcus) dans la Patagonie du Chili. Dissertation, Université de Sherbrooke, Canada.

Corti P., H. U. Wittmer, and M. Festa-Bianchet. 2010. “Dynamics of a Small Population of Endangered Huemul Deer (Hippocamelus bisulcus) in Chilean Patagonia,” J Mammal 91:690–97.

Corti, P., C. Saucedo, and P. Herrera. 2013. “Evidence of Bovine Viral Diarrhea, but Absence of Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis and Bovine Brucellosis in the Endangered Huemul Deer (Hippocamelus bisulcus) in Chilean Patagonia,” J. Wild. Dis. 49 (3): 744–46.

Flueck, W. T., and J. M. Smith-Flueck. 2012. Diseases of Red Deer Introduced to Patagonia and Implications for Native Ungulates,” An. Pro. Sc. 52: 766.

Gill R., C. Saucedo, D. Aldridge, and G. Morgan, 2008. “Ranging Behaviour of Huemul in Relation to Habitats and Landscape,” J. Zool. 274: 254–60.

González-Acuña, D., C. Saucedo, P. Corti, M. E. Casanueva, and A. Cicchino. 2009. “First Records of the Louse Solenopotes binipilosus (Insecta: Phthiraptera) and Mite Psoroptes ovis (Arachnida: Acari) from Wild Southern Huemul, Hippocamelus bisulcus (Mammalia: Artiodactyla: Cervidae),” J. Wild.Dis. 45: 1235–38.

Lara, J., H. Velásquez, and J. Subiabre. 2012. Reporte Preliminar del Conflicto Perro-Huemul en la R. N. Lago Cochrane (Tamango): Reseña Histórica para 2 temporadas reproductivas de ataques y predación en un ASP. CONA F.

Lara, J. 2013. Captura de un perro en sector Embarcadero de la R. N. Lago Cochrane. Informe CONAF.

López, R., P. Carrasco, and P. Corti. 2011. Los Huemules de Chile Central: 37 años de esfuerzo para su conservación. Codeff, Seremi M.A. Biobío & FZS.

Saucedo, C., and R. Gill. 2004. “The Endangered Huemul or South Andean Deer Hippocamelus bisulcus,” Oryx 38 (2): 132‒33.

Saucedo, C., and R. Gill. 2004. “Huemul (Hippocamelus bisulcus) Ecology Research: Conservation Planning in Chilean Patagonia,” IUCN SSC/ Deer Specialist Group Newsletter 19: 13–15.

Saucedo, C. 2008. Huemul herido por perros y consecuente muerte en la R.N Tamango. Informe Conservación Patagónica.

Vila, A. R., R. López, H. Pastore, R. Faúndez, and A. Serret. 2006. “Current Distribution and Conservation of the Huemul (Hippocamelus bisulcus) in Argentina and Chile,” Mastozoología Neotropical 13:263–69.

m [email protected] w www.conservacionpatagonica.org w www.parquepatagonia.org TOMPKINS CONSERVATION WILDLIFE BULLETIN SEPTEMBER 2016

Text: Cristián Saucedo | Design: Andrés Stubelt Photography: Translation: Tom Butler and Erin Bauman Francisco Erize Chantal Henderson Cite as: Saucedo, C. 2016. Patagonia Park: A Decade of Huemul Conservation. Paula Herrera Wildlife Bulletin #1. Tompkins Conservation. Conservación Patagónica. September. 34 pp. Jorge Molina Javier Muñoz Peter & Beverly Pickford Hernán Povedano Cristián Saucedo Luigi Solís Daniel Velásquez Linde Waidhofer Beth Wald Benjamín Wilcox