Anales Instituto Patagonia (Chile), 2016. Vol. 44(3):13-19 13 Tagging huemul fawns (Hippocamelus bisulcus) at Torres del Paine National Park, Magallanes, Chile Marcaje de cervatillos de Huemul (Hippocamelus bisulcus) en el Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, Magallanes, Chile Gladys Garay1, Oscar Guineo1 & Isaac M. Ortega3 Abstract como cervatillos resultó ser de suma importancia, There is no better approach in the study of social por lo tanto, se adoptó la técnica aprendida de behavior of a species than recognizing individuals. Franklin y Johnson (1994 ) para atrapar cervatillos For the similar looking animals as in the huemul durante la temporada de nacimientos. Equipos de (Hippocamelus bisulcus), were we could only investigadores buscaron y observaron hembras differentiate between sexes and ages, marking became de las que se sospechaba haber parido, para a critical need. In a long-term study of the huemul at así lograr la ubicación del cervatillo oculto. Una Torres del Paine National Park, Chile, we wanted to vez que se encontró el cervatillo se procedió a recognize individuals as young as fawns, hence we atraparlo, medirlo y marcarlo. De esta manera se adopted the technique learned from Franklin and atraparon, midieron y marcaron con auto-crotales Johnson (1994) to trap fawns during the birthing a 16 cervatillos. Estos animales marcados fueron season. Teams looked-up for females suspected to clave para una mejor comprensión de varios have given birth to find the location of the hidden aspectos de la ecología del huemul en ese parque. fawn. Once the fawn was located we proceeded to trap and mark it. In this way 16 fawns were trapped, Palabras Clave: measured, and ear-tagged. These animals were key Hippocamelus bisulcus, cervatillos de huemul, for a better understanding of several aspects of the marcaje, Patagonia Chilena. ecology of the huemul at that park. INTRODUCTION Key Words: Hippocamelus bisulcus, huemul fawns, To better understand the socio-ecology of marking, Chilean Patagonia. a species, the marking of individuals to be later identified is highly desired. However, if this is not Resumen possible, it becomes necessary to use individual Una de las mejores formas para el estudio natural markings or special characteristics. There del comportamiento social de una especie, es are several studies on deer species where fawns el reconocimiento de los individuos. Para los animales de aspecto similar, como en el huemul 1 Paraguaya 126, Punta Arenas, Chile. (Hippocamelus bisulcus), donde sólo se puede [email protected] (GG); diferenciar entre sexos y edades, el marcar [email protected] (OG). individuos se convierte en una necesidad crítica. 2 Department of Natural Resources & the Environment, En un estudio a largo plazo del huemul realizado en University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA. el Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, Magallanes, [email protected] Chile, el reconocimiento de individuos tan jóvenes Recibido: Abr. 8, 2016 Aceptado: Sep. 5, 2016 14 G. GARAY et al. were captured for different purposes, such as of information. mortality and survival (Pusateri Burroughs et al. 2006; Delguidice et al. 2006; Hiller et al. 2008, METHOD Lomas & Bender, 2007; Pojar & Bowden, 2004; Study area Rhom et al. 2007; Vreeland et al. 2004), success in traps (Hiller et al. 2010), determining on how The huemul population considered for to find fawns (Ditchkoffet al. 2005), or used for this procedure was in the Sector Lago Grey to food habit studies (Ortega et al.1990; Ortega et the extreme west of Torres del Paine National al. 1997). However, capturing and marking of Park (51º S and 73º W), an area that borders the fawns with the purpose of direct observation has Southern Ice Field. Due to the vastness of the area not been documented. (375 km2) and the scattered distribution of huemul In 1999 we began a study on a huemul given its small population (about 60 animals, (Hippocamelus bisulcus) population at Torres del Guineo et al. 2000), we chose groups that were Paine National Park (PNTP). Huemul fawns are close to the last point of vehicular access in the spotless, but as many other deer species, fawns area of Grey Lake’s Park Ranger Station. It covered are hiders, lying down quietly out of sight, until approximately 23 km2 including four subsectors: the mother comes back to nurse it. Once the Pochongo, Margaritas, Cañadon - Mirador, and fawn grows into a juvenile (a year of age), there Aguila - Huemules (Fig. 1). are practically no significant physical differences This study site is a very challenging area in with the adults, although it is possible to notice a very uneven topography, due the great orogenic a shorter neck in the juveniles. At six months of activity and glacio-fluvial action, and the strong age, the male fawn begins to form small buttons rocky slopes and moraine presence. The study site that will develop into small antlers of one point, is located on the Trans-Oceanic and the Andean up to 6-8 cm., at one and a half years of age. ecological region (DiCastri, 1968) with rainfall of Males have small-bifurcated antlers with 2-points 800 to 850 mm per year, within the range of the on each antler, up to 28-30 cm. There are no Eastern Pre-Andean features with Magellan forest antlers on the females. In our 10-year study, it vegetation of deciduous and mixed (Pisano, 1974). became necessary to mark the individuals of the The periglacial location and colonizing human population of huemul at the PNTP. Since the influence for nearly 100 years, is manifested in huemul is an endangered species (IUCN 2010, large forest fires that were used to “open grazing declared in 1995) we limited ourselves to ask areas,” which generated the presence of bush for permits to mark only huemul fawns. In part patches of various sizes within the open wooded this decision was made based on the extensive areas. experience of the researchers on the long-term The dominant tree species in this area research on guanaco (Lama guanicoe) in the same are beech (Nothofagus pumilio) and coigüe (N. PNTP, where they captured and marked more betuloides), with some ñirre (N. antarctica) and than 30 neonatal guanacos, 15 - 20 minutes after low-lying areas stunted at higher levels of the birth (Garay, 1985), and assisted other students in mountain. The dense patches of mesophytes later occasions (Franklin & Johnson, 1994). shrubs include ciruelillo (Embothrium coccineum), The main purpose of marking huemul leñadura (Maitenus magellanica), calafate (Berberis fawns was to obtain information, through buxifolia), bacaris (Baccharis magellanica), identifiable animals, on the organization and chaura (Gaultheria mucronata), and murtilla social relationships, distribution and movements (Empetrum rubrum). The lack of grazer species of huemul and their families, and activity in the area has allowed grasses to remain high budgets. Marked animals could also provide basic in most of the area. Some of the most abundant information of the population size in the study grasses and herbs include orchard grass (Holcus area, dispersal of juveniles and adults. Moreover, lanatus), honey grass (Dactylis glomerata), coiron through this procedure, huemul measurements (Festuca spp.), dandelion (Taraxacum officinalis), could be obtained in a species that lacks this type clover (Trifolium repens), site vends (Plantago HUEMUL FAWNS TAGGING 15 Fig. 1. Study area of the huemul population at Torres del Paine National Park, Magallanes, Chile, 2002 - 2008. (Source: Google Earth 2010). lanceolata), arvejilla (Lathyrus magellanicus) and tagging of the fawns. wild sweet peas (L. nervosus). To tag the fawns we used blue and yellow ear tags (3x2 cm), ear tag pliers, measuring tape, a Permits scale and a belt to weight the fawn, cloth to cover the eyes, antibiotic spray to put in the area of the For each tagging period, permits were ear affected by the insertion of the ear tag. Data requested to CONAF (Corporación Nacional were recorded in data sheets prepared for the field Forestal) and SAG (Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero). procedure. Pictures and movies were shot during The permits per year included 2002 Resolution 11; the process. 2003 Resolution 3315; 2004 Resolution 3219; Adult pregnant females usually moved 2005 Resolution 5112; 2006 Resolution 4407; away from the group during the birthing period 2007 Resolution 4188; and 2008 Resolution and at least for the first two weeks after the 4883. fawn were born. We used this behavior to help us in locating fawns. First, we observed females Tagging Procedures with this type of behavior; once the female was located, we observed the female until she moved Fawn tagging was done between late to lactate the fawn. If no lactation was observed, October and mid November, from 2002 to 2008 but the female persisted in the site, then an which corresponds to the birthing season of huemul exhaustive search was done in the area within in this region. Three people were needed for the a radius of 200 m. Usually the female did not 16 G. GARAY et al. show apprehension and continued eating. for fawns before and after those dates. Once the fawn was located and did not The capture technique is very effective move, a member of our team approached it, although it requires being very patient and able to and held it down to the ground. The second spend a long time in the huemul range. There is member proceeded to tag it on both ears, with no need for drugs and the animals are unharmed the exception of 2006 to 2008 where only one at the time of released. The does remained nearby eartag was placed. Standard body measurements without paying much attention to the procedure. were done, including length of tail, ear, head, hind Only on two occasions females were alarmed and fore leg, and total length, circumference of the by a short cry from the fawn, but most times, head, neck and chest.