PACE Bisonte. Bison reintroduction to historic range in Northern Mexico
COLLABORATORS & CONTACTS: CONANP:Oscar Ramírez, María Elena Rodarte, Pablo Domínguez, Lizardo Cruz. THE NATURE CONSERVANCY: Laura Paulson, Antonio Esquer. Partners Janos Biosphere Reserve
• The Janos Valley Grasslands are located in Mexico’s Chihuahuan Desert ecoregion,
• One of the largest complex of black-tailed prairie dog colonies remaining in the world and over 250 species of birds.
• Federal ANP decreed in 2009 – 500,000 ha (1.3. M acres)
• The decree marks the first time Mexico is officially protecting grasslands.
Scale and Connectivity
• The Janos Valley Grasslands are part of the Great Plains of North America
• The prairies of the Great Plains extend from Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba in southern Canada southward to northern Mexico
• Tri-national corridor for wildlife
El Uno Ecological Reserve
• In 2005, the Conservancy purchased a 46,000 acre ranch and created the El Uno Ecological Reserve
- grasslands restoration - community education - scientific research - sustainable ranching - wildlife management
Map of estimated historic distribution of bison in Mexico. The location of the Janos-Hidalgo herd is indicated (Adapted from List et al, 2007). Mexico Bison Group
• CONANP • Instituto de Ecología-UNAM • TNC • Naturalia • Tutuaca Mountain School • IUCN
• Chihuahua Government • SAGARPA • DGVS
• The Mexico Bison Team developed a strategy to recover bison in this country, documented in the “Action Plan for the Conservation of Species: Bison bison” (PACE)
• Several analyses identified Janos as adequate habitat and local people recall their presence (1950’s – 1980’s).
• In 2009, 23 animals from Wind Cave National Park arrived at El Uno
• The goal is to establish several genetically pure herds in the historic distribution range in Mexico
• The El Uno herd will serve as a reproductive seed herd to provide individuals for reintroduction to other sites.
• May 13 2010 - the first calf was born in Mexico
Bison Recovery in Mexico
- Black Tailed Prairie Dog Other - Golden Eagle Key Species - Pronghorn
– Habitat preservation Grasslands – Restoration & Protection
– Ecological Fire management Promote prescribe Conservation burning Culture Fire Academy Promote training for fire brigades
Academia
Bison Recovery in Mexico
- Black Tailed Prairie Dog Other - Golden Eagle Key Species - Pronghorn - Training - Pilot/demosntrative proyects Ranching (Grass bank) - Sharing experiences
Grasslands
Agriculture - Sotol - Native grasses
Conservation Culture
Academia Sustainable Ranching
– Best practices • Grass bank • Pilot projects • Training
– Strategic alliances • CONANP • ABC • Local comunities
Bison Recovery in Mexico
- Black Tailed Prairie Dog Other - Golden Eagle Key Species - Pronghorn - Training - Pilot/demosntrative proyects Ranching (Grass bank) - Sharing experiences
Grasslands
Agriculture - Sotol - Native grasses
Environmental education Conservation Culture Bird watching clubs
Academia Community education
Schools Students visiting El Uno Training teachers Bird watchers club
Local people Mennonite community
Bison Recovery in Mexico
- Black Tailed Prairie Dog Other - Golden Eagle Key Species - Pronghorn - Training - Pilot/demosntrative proyects Ranching (Grass bank) - Sharing experiences
Grasslands
Agriculture - Sotol - Native grasses
Environmental education Conservation Culture Bird watching clubs
- Research Academia - Tesis (UNAM, UACJ, UACH) - Field practices Scientific research
• Host students developing theses (Bachelor, MS, PhD) • Parire dog/Cattle • Bison • Swainson Hawk • Gray Fox • Training • RMBO annual winter monitoring course • Facilities for field practices to UACH and UACJ biology school
The numbers
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Bulls 3 3 3 8 Cows 17 17 17 20 Yearling 20 1 4 3 Female Yearling 3 5 4 Male Heifers 4 3 3 Calves 1 5 4 4 TOTAL 23 21 30 36 41 Births/Dead 0 1/3 15/6 11/5 4/1 Bison Recovery in Mexico
- Black Tailed Prairie Dog Other - Golden Eagle Key Species - Pronghorn - Training - Pilot/demosntrative proyects Ranching (Grass bank) - Sharing experiences
Grasslands
Agriculture - Sotol - Native grasses
Environmental education Conservation Culture Bird watching clubs
- Research Academia - Tesis (UNAM, UACJ, UACH) - Field practices 2012 Activities
Positive valance of the herd. 2012 began with 30 individuals and ended with 36.
The herd health was monitoring with direct management of each individual.
2012 - the REU received 663 visitors, mostly students of all educational levels.
Through this project, we shared coordinated efforts to add capabilities in benefit of common objectives with several institutions.
We could identified three critical areas for bison conservation: Buenaventura and San Pedro River Basin in Sonora and Janos in Chihuahua. Even though, these areas have different restoration necessities.
Grasslands have different levels of impact associated with livestock practices and the type of land tenure. In most of the cases, community land (ejidos) have less favorable environmental conditions compared with private land.
We identified 19 livestock ranches with 238 bisons in Chihuahua. The bisons are used for exhibition, meat production, hunting, research, environmental education, as well as restoration proposes.
We identified 11 livestock ranches with potential for bison reintroduction In 2012, six workshops was conducted to promote livestock good practices, wildlife management (UMAs), restoration and productive diversification.
The work with livestock ranch owners implied training, pilot demonstrative projects and experience interchange between different regions ranch owners. Next steps
• Increase herd size to150 bison (natural and bringing more fron WCNP)
• Define new sites to host conservation herds
• Continue education, outreach and collaboration with ranchers
• More research on uses of bison and market potential . Now We are members of NBA
• Increase collaboration (local, national and international) Challenges Science Gap in applied research to benefit conservation objectives of El Uno and Janos Biosphere Reserve UNAM is adressing grazing reasearch Management • High profile project • Many project partners; different perspectives and views need to be carefully considered and addressed • Day-to-day reality of managing bison; logistical, infrastructure maintenance, monitoring, annual round-up and health exams, etc. Fundraising • Financial sustainability key to long-term success of initiative
Request
• Connect projects related to bison habitat
• Consider bison as a common concern
• Support the next movement of bison from WCNP to Mexico
!!!Muchas gracias¡¡¡