Guanaco in Argentina

In March, Dr. Marcela Uhart joined WCS associate scientist Dr. Ricardo Baldi in Patagonia. Dr. Baldi is leading a long-term conservation project of the steppe and its most significant vertebrates, the guanaco, Darwin's rhea, and the mara. Although guanaco are still the most abundant South American camelid, their numbers have dropped from seven million at the end of the 19th century to fewer than 600,000 today. Competition with sheep, lack of effective protection, irregular hunting control, and the general misbelief that guanaco are disease-carrying pests that interfere with sheep production are severe threats to guanaco conservation.

The work on the guanaco was conducted at La Esperanza, a 13,000-acre wildlife refuge managed by the local NGO Fundación Patagonia Natural. Samples were collected to assess the health status of these animals and to compare disease prevalence from this area with that found in previous FVP studies. In order to begin the project, the animals needed to be immobilized and radio-collared. Having assisted Drs. Karesh and Cook with guanaco immobilizations for an epidemiology study in 1996, Dr. Uhart took the lead on these latest procedures.

Free-ranging guanaco are not easily captured. They live in tight groups, which are always protected by an alpha male. To approach guanaco on foot, and remain unnoticed, is practically impossible. Instead, a small water hole was used to attract the guanaco families. A "blind" was built and camouflaged, and the long hours of waiting began. For 11 days, the capture team, including veterinarian Carolina Marull and park ranger Gustavo Samora, took 12-hour shifts watching animal movements and keeping the "darter," Dr. Uhart, informed of the presence of animals approaching the target area.

Patience paid off. Dr. Uhart and the team immobilized, examined, and radio-collared five adult female guanaco. Over the next three years, these animals will provide essential information for the design of strategic protected areas for guanaco and the Patagonian Steppe. While that information alone would satisfy many conservation groups, WCS goes a step further to ensure the health of wildlife as well.

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