Relaciones espaciales y numéricas entre venados de las pampas (Ozotoceros bezoarticus celer) y chanchos cimarrones (Sus scrofa) en el Refugio de Vida Silvestre Bahía Samborombón, Argentina.

PÉREZ CARUSI, LORENA CYNTHIA; BEADE, MARIO; MIÑARRO, FERNANDO; VILA, ALEJANDRO; GIMÉNEZ-DIXON, MARIANO; BILENCA, DAVID N.

Ecología Austral

Asociación Argentina de Ecología

Año: 2009 vol. 19 p. 63 - 71

1667-7838

Ozotoceros bezoarticus celer is the southernmost subspecies of pampas deer, is endemic to the Argentine Pampas, and is seriously endangered. In Buenos Aires Province, the last Pampas deer population is located in Bahía Samborombón. Poaching and the increase of exotic species such as feral dogs and feral pigs have been suggested as the most important causes affecting the recovery of deer. Thus, the aim of this study was to analyze the spatial and temporal variations in distribution and abundance of Pampas deer and feral pig in the Wildlife Refuge Bahía Samborombón and to discuss the possible consequences of the interaction between these species. Six aerial surveys were conducted during the period 2002-2005. A total of 747 deer and 2690 feral pigs were counted. There was a slight negative trend in the deer sightings and an increase in pig sightings. Estimated density ranged between 0.63-1.56 individuals/km2 for deer and from 0.91 to 7.78 individuals/km2 for pig. A negative correlation was found between deer and pig densities (rs= -0.83; P= 0.04), and distribution of these species was not independent of each other. A progressive change in distribution has been detected in the Pampas deer population during these last three decades. This study provides evidence of the potential existence of negative interactions between Pampas deer and pigs. Due to the critical situation of Pampas deer, a control plan for feral pig should be developed and implemented urgently to prevent the continued increase and expansion of feral pig population to the south of the bay, and consequently, to reduce potential competition and predation on deer.