Highland cats: conservation of the rare and elusive Andean cat

SILLERO-ZUBIRI C.; COSSÍOS D.; IRIARTE A.; LUCHERINI M.; MARINO J.; VILLALBA L.

Oxford, Reino Unido

Conferencia; Biology and Conservation of Wild Felids: an international conference; 2007

WildCRU, University of Oxford

Rarity may imply small numbers or simply a lack of knowledge due to a species being elusive or difficult to detect. As field studies on the Andean cat (Oreailurus jacobita) progress, a suit of reasons underpinning its rarity are beginning to unveil. The species is restricted to the High Andes of Chile, Bolivia, Argentina and Peru. While occurring at low density, it seems to be widely distributed within its range. Habitat specificity, a narrow dietary niche and apparent competition with other high-altitude carnivores (notably the sympatric Pampas cat and Pampa’s fox) all appear to impose some limit to the species distribution. Additionally, intensive hunting of prey populations in the past and human persecution in some localities are having a detrimental effect. The High Andes are vast and little populated, providing good scope for the species’ protection. Unfortunately ecological surveys in these conditions also require complex logistics. A multi-national alliance of field researchers have combined their experience to develop and apply suitable methods in a study area around the tri-national frontier between Chile, Argentina and Bolivia. Habitat assessment, faecal sample transects, camera trapping, records of skins and interviews indicate that Andean cats have a preference for rocky outcrops that provide suitable shelter, and the proximity to ‘vegas’, small marshes with concentrated productivity in an otherwise barren landscape. A mapping exercise to depict habitat quality type indicates hotspots and corridors that are bound to impose a particular metapopulation structure. This spatial structure has consequences for population genetics and future monitoring and conservation action. Our study provides a good example of how trans-frontier collaboration can promote good conservation practices and help determine which actions are required to protect rare carnivore populations in mountainous areas.