Small Cats in Argentina 2003

In May 2003, FVP field veterinarian Dr. Marcela Uhart traveled to Lihue Calel National Park in central Argentina to continue a long-term conservation project studying the ecology and health status of three native small cat species: Geoffrey’s cats, pampas cats, and jaguarundis. This was Dr. Uhart's second trip to the region, where she works with researchers from the Association for Conservation and Study of Nature (ACEN), Javier Pereira and Natalia Fracassi. Dr. Uhart’s participation in the project is to safely immobilize and assess the health status of the cats being fitted with radiocollars.

Lihue Calel National Park is the southernmost site where these three cats coexist, along with other animals such as guanaco, puma, and pampas fox. This 9,900-hectare national park-named for the water fountains that flow from the hills-protects the dry temperate forest in this region of Argentina, and is considered a high priority for conservation.

The general objectives of the project are to study basic aspects about the cats’ biology, home range, habitat use, and activity patterns. Very little is known about the ecology of these elusive native cats, particularly the interaction among the species. The overall goal is to obtain sufficient data to determine if the animals frequently move out of the national park. By monitoring the cats' movements using radiocollars, their use of the area surrounding the park could be documented to justify an expansion of 20,000 hectares on nearby land.

The first field team was supervised by FVP Wildlife Health Fund grant recipient Dr. Hebe Ferreyra and vet students Joaquin de Estrada and Viviana Coronel. They successfully captured nine Geoffrey's cats during the first week. Six of the animals were immobilized, examined, and radio-collared; one was an animal radio-collared in 2002, and the other two were juveniles released without immobilization. Subsequent to Dr. Uhart's arrival, and with the assistance of vet student Diego Ugalde, an additional six cats were caught, four of which were fitted with radiocollars.

This year, nine female and one male Geoffrey's cats have been added to the study. This represents the most comprehensive work undertaken with native small cats in Argentina. The role of the FVP encompasses all aspects of animal health as well as assistance with the attachment of radiocollars on the animals. Biological samples collected from the Geoffrey’s cats will soon be tested for exposure to infectious diseases. The FVP’s continued participation in this project will help with the conservation efforts surrounding these small cats and their habitat in Argentina. To help fund the WCS Field Veterinary Program and its efforts to save wildlife in Argentina, click here.

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