Isabela eps:Layout 1 - Advanced Conservation Strategies

RESULTS & EFFORT
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Isabela: ground hunting phase
Ground hunters to the rescue
A strategy for dense vegetation
Aerial hunting removed 6,077 animals from Alcedo’s densely vegetated southern slope (see zone of interest in the map). The
remaining goats had become wary of this method and kill rates dropped to 1.5-2 goats per flight hour. In anticipation, ten
water catchments were set up at 3 km intervals throughout this zone. Groups of 2-3 hunters and their dogs were based at
water catchments for 12 days for three consecutive trips.
Hunters´ tracks Goats killed
First trip in January 2005: 3.6 goats per hunter day
Second trip in February 2005: 0.7 goats per hunter day
The images below show hunters’ GPS tracks and positions of goats killed. The second and third trips killed approximately
one-tenth the number killed the previous trip. Aerial hunting was simultaneously conducted around this zone, removing
goats attempting to flee the area. At the end of the third trip Judas goats were deployed in this area.
“Water catchments”
Hunters´ tracks Goats killed
Third trip in June 2005: 0.07 goats per hunter day
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RESULTS & EFFORT