Detecting an increase in an Endangered huemul Hippocamelus bisulcus population following removal of cattle and cessation of poaching in coastal Patagonia, Chile

The conservation of threatened species poses many challenges but through cooperation and pooling of resources, individuals and organizations can work together to achieve better results. Here we describe our experience, working through a governmental and private alliance, studying one of the most threatened mammals in the Southern Cone. The huemul deer Hippocamelus bisulcus, one of two members of the Hippocamelus genus of South America, is endemic to Argentina and Chile and currently inhabits only a small fraction of its former range. Little is known about the huemul because it generally lives in remote areas with a harsh climate and rugged terrain. Using drive counts and fixed width transects over 5 consecutive years (2004–2008) we estimated density and abundance, and examined population changes and social structure, in three coastal huemul populations in the area of the Témpanos and Bernardo fjords of Bernardo O'Higgins National Park, Chile. Our results suggest that synergistic conservation actions, such as cattle removal and poaching control, can lead to the recovery of threatened huemul. The baseline information obtained from our surveys and the lessons learned through this governmental and private alliance will be useful for future monitoring of the huemul in the Patagonian fjords of Chile.

Drive counts for grey brocket deer Mazama gouazoupira in the Bolivian Chaco / Estimation de la population du cerf brun Mazama gouazoupira dans le Chaco de Bolivie par la méthode du dénombrement total

In the context of a community wildlife management program with the Isoseño communities of the Bolivian Chaco, we tested drive sample counts as a method for estimating densities of grey brocket deer ( Mazama gouazoupira ). Drive count density estimates of 12–14/km

Drive counts for grey brocket deer Mazama gouazoupira in the Bolivian Chaco / Estimation de la population du cerf brun Mazama gouazoupira dans le Chaco de Bolivie par la méthode du dénombrement total

In the context of a community wildlife management program with the Isoseño communities of the Bolivian Chaco, we tested drive sample counts as a method for estimating densities of grey brocket deer ( Mazama gouazoupira ). Drive count density estimates of 12–14/km

The response of red duikers Cephalophus natalensis to drive counts

The response of red duikers to drive counts conducted on three consecutive days was monitored. The disturbance level to the duiker community of this counting method is low, an it is unlikely to have any long-term effects. The red duiker flees rather than hides from the counting line, thereby increasing its chances of being counted.

Calibrating Aerial Surveys of Kangaroos by Comparison With Drive Counts

Densities of red and western grey kangaroos and euros were assessed by aerial survey and compared with densities obtained in the same area by drive counts. The survey area (12.1 km2) was long, narrow and sparsely vegetated. Lakes and a kangaroo-proof fence bounded the area on three sides facilitating the drive count. Densities from aerial surveys ranged between 38 and 54% of the corresponding drive counts for red kangaroos, between 15 and 23% for western grey kangaroos, and between 9 and 10% for euros. The time of morning at which the surveys were conducted altered these percentages. About twice as many red and western grey kangaroos were counted on aerial surveys at sunrise compared to surveys 3.5 h later.