IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Sillero-Zubiri, C.; Cossios, D.; Iriarte, A.; Lucherini, M.; Marino, J.; Villalba, L. | |
| Highland Cats: Conservation of the Rare and Elusive Andean Cat | |
| 2007 Conference Proceeding | |
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 culpeo fox) all appear to impose some limit to the species distribution or abundance. 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 sparsely populated, providing good scope for the species' protection. Unfortunately ecological surveys in these conditions also require complex logistics. A multinational alliance of field researchers has combined their experience to develop and apply suitable methods in a study around the tri-national frontier between Chile, Argentina and Bolivia. Habitat assessment, sign transects, camera trapping, skin records 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 core areas and potential corridors with possible consequences for population structure and genetics. 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. |
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