EAZA News 58-9 - European Association of Zoos and Aquaria

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eaza news 58 2007 26 conservation The Pacarana Conservation Programme; an international effort to save an endangered species Karin Osbahr, Universidad de Ciencias Aplicadas y Ambientales, Bogotá, Colombia and Stewart Muir, Newquay Zoo, United Kingdom Colombia is one of the world’s richest countries in terms of species diversity, and is second only to Brazil in overall number of species. This high biodiversity can be attributed, amongst other reasons, to its mountainous aspect, with three Andean ranges reaching almost 6,000 m above sea level. The effects of altitude and climate have combined to create a myriad of microhabitats along the slopes of these mountains, each home to its own distinct and unique flora and fauna, featuring some of the highest levels of species diversity. These conditions contribute to make the Andean region one of the richest in neotropical species and one of the highest in species density. This extremely high diversity coupled with the high degree of threat, places Colombia amongst the highest conservation priorities on earth. As well as the pacarana (Dinomys branickii ), most of the Andean flora and fauna species belong to unique taxonomic groups with a restricted geographical distribution. Guagua loba The pacarana is one of the least known rodent species of the South American Andean region. It was first described by Peters in 1873, and was described for the first time in Venezuela during the late 20th century (Boher, 1988). In Colombia the range of the pacarana, known locally as ‘guagua loba’, embraces the whole Andean region with ranges between 1,800 to 3,200 m (Osbahr, 1995). The pacarana has always been mentioned in literature as a rare and endangered species (Mohr, 1935; Collins and Eisenberg, 1972; Merrit, 1984; White and Alberico, 1992). It is listed by IUCN as Endangered (mainly due to drastic habitat reduction) and as Vulnerable in the Red Data Book of Threatened Mammals of Columbia (Alberico and Osbahr, 2006). The endangered status is based upon a suspected reduction of at least 50% over the last three generations, based on its occurence and quality of habitat, and levels of hunting for meat. However, the remaining number, the local geographic distribution and regional or local causes of decline are not clear. Taxonomic uniqueness (last survivor of the family Dinomyidae), its level of taxonomic threat, (one genera, one species) and habitat reduction are probably the only criteria for evaluating its status. Pacaranas in zoos Historically the number of captive pacaranas held worldwide in zoos has also been very small. According to literature the first living animal reached Hamburg Zoo, Germany, in 1902 (Mohr, 1937). The international studbook maintained by Rio Grande do Sul Zoo in Brazil reported 25 pacaranas in nine collections in December 2004 but did not include European zoos. As of March 2007, ISIS listed 15.10 pacaranas in three North American and two South American zoos. The largest holding of pacaranas at Cali Zoo in Colombia has declined because of a high mortality rate in newborn and adult animals. In situ and ex situ research. photo karin osbahr/udca The Universidad de Ciencias Aplicadas y Ambientales (UDCA) in Bogotá, Colombia, has been researching hystricomorphic rodents of the Andean region, including the pacarana and the mountain paca (Cuniculus taczanowskii ), since 1990. The pacarana project is part of the UDCA’s Andean Ecosystem Research Line and the Fauna Research Group and is officially recognised by the Colombian government. The project involves captive breeding and basic biological and ecological in situ and ex situ research. The research group has developed some basic studies on morphophysiology, behaviour, parasitism, geographic distribution and nutritional ecology (Osbahr, 1994; 1998; 1999; 2001; 2003; López, et al., 2000). The information will be used to design a management plan for these endangered species, keeping in mind possible reintroduction of captive bred animals as well as habitat management and educational programmes for local rural communities. Studying confiscated pacaranas The UDCA obtained a group of four pacaranas confiscated by the Colombian government from illegal wildlife trade. The breeding group is
presently maintained in a large outdoor enclosure at the university. During the past five years the research project at the university has housed 17 pacaranas (including some young born) and five mountain pacas. Even though births have occurred throughout the time, many newborns died during the first days of life and an increased mortality in adults reduced the population to eight animals. Support from NGO’s and zoos The project has been supported mainly by UDCA, with additional funding obtained for specific research from national and international NGO’s. The EAZA Small Mammal TAG recommended that a consortium of zoos should be formed to support this work. Consequently, since 2004, with the advice of the Society for the Protection of Species and Populations (ZGAP), a Memorandum of Agreement was signed. The Pacarana Conservation Programme is supported by Newquay Zoo, Poznan Zoo, Chester Zoo and non-EAZA member Tierpark Cottbus. Recently, the Los Angeles Zoo has also joined the Pacarana Conservation Committee. The financial and advisory support from zoos will allow increased veterinary care and building of a new facility, designed according to the international standards of ex situ conservation programmes. This new facility is a priority to guarantee a better quality of life for the animals maintained in captivity at the UDCA. Long-term actions Successful in situ and ex situ conservation to assist wild populations requires education, support of field conservation initiatives, research, and maintaining or preserving significant amounts of genetic variation for the future. Pilot wildlife management programmes will be important for raising public awareness and support for wildlife management and conservation in general. Colombians, like people elsewhere, are more likely to support conservation programmes that offer them tangible incentives instead of legal prohibitions. The Pacarana Conservation Programme Committee has outlined a global research plan with specific in situ and ex situ projects. These will include: – DNA studies to define genetic and demographic variability at the captive breeding colony and in remaining wild populations; – definition of the real conservation status of the species in Colombia; – evaluation of the communities’ attitude towards the species; – evaluation of the remnant tropical mountain forest; – continuation of general biological and ecological studies of the species. Facility relocation During January 2006, Stewart Muir of Newquay Zoo visited the UDCA to see the facility in which the pacarana are kept and to help advise on a possible course of action. Initially, the funding provided by the European zoos was to improve the existing facility and tackle the serious problem of rat infestation. However, the many problems of keeping the animals on their present site have become apparent. Its close proximity to domestic livestock, the rat problem and the lack of possibility for expansion led to the idea of relocating the facility to another part of the campus. Although this would cost more money than originally planned it was agreed that this was the best solution. conservation Approximately 500,000 larvae transported in plastic bottles photo stewart muir/newquay zoo Thanks to the donation of rat poison from ZGAP, the rat problem has been greatly reduced during the last year. Final architectural drawings of the new facility, including enclosures, a research room, a kitchen and an office have been approved and planning permission has been granted for a new site. Construction is due to start in the very near future, and it is hoped that the pacaranas will all soon be moving to their new home. Future support The priority of the Pacarana Conservation Committee is the welfare of the pacarana breeding colony at UDCA. Until now, research is carried out mainly supported by funds. Long-term actions will be supported by zoos which will carry out in situ and ex situ research. Consequently, the Pacarana Conservation Programme requires more funding and, in future, more research expertise. Besides this, expertise in enclosure design is needed; a breeding enclosure has to be established at a nature reserve area which will need a building license from local environmental authorities. Institutions interested in funding opportunities or other supporting measures, please contact Karin Osbahr at kosbahr@udca.edu.co • Reference: Mohr, E., 1937. Vom Pacarana Dinomys branickii (Peters). Der Zoologische Garten NF9, 204-209. Approximately 500,000 larvae transported in plastic bottles photo karin osbahr/udca This article has been abridged and the references were left out due to space limitations. For the original full version of the article including reference details, please refer to the ‘Magazine’ section of the EAZA website. eaza news 58 2007 27
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