Proyecto Lobo de Río

Proyecto Lobo de Río
The Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) in Peru
• desnivel entre ANPs según apoyo por ONGs;
• exigencias de un SINANPE mas desarrollado hacen
evidente necesidades de capacitación por parte de la DGANP
Jessica Groenendijk, Frank Hajek
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Proyecto Lobo de Río
The Frankfurt Zoological Society
 German organisation,
established in 1858.
 In 1961, the “Help for Threatened
Wildlife” Programme was initiated.
 Objective: To protect the natural
diversity of species in important
ecosystems across the globe - in
partnership with and for people.
 Long-term project focus.
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Proyecto Lobo de Río
The Frankfurt Zoological Society
 Active principally in Europe, East Africa,
Indonesia and South America (portfolio 75 projects).
 Two projects in Peru: The Protected Area Support
Programme (2002) and the Giant Otter Project.
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Proyecto Lobo de Río
The Giant Otter Project
 Since 1990, the Project has been working on
investigation and conservation of the giant otter and its
aquatic habitats.
 Schenck and Staib, coordination 1990 - 1996
Groenendijk and Hajek, coordination 1998 – to date
 Overall objective: to catalyse the implementation of
an integrated conservation plan for the species in
Peru.
 Five specific objectives.
Proyecto Lobo de Río
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1 – Carry out research and monitoring
 Habitat use studies, population dynamics (15 censuses),
behavioural ecology, and threats in Manu NP.
 Habitat use studies, population dynamics and threats in
Palma Real River, Tambopata NR.
 Identification of populations in
Departments of Madre de Dios,
Loreto and Ucayali.
Censo Poblacional de la RBM (n =10),
1991-2002 época seca
Número prom. de
individuos
7
6
5
Tamaño grupo
4
Crías/grupo
Tamaño camada
3
2
1
0
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
Año
1999
2000
2001
2002
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Proyecto Lobo de Río
2 – Management of human activities
in giant otter habitat
 Implementation of site-specific plans (11 cochas).
 Development of low-impact tourism alternatives.
Proyecto Lobo de Río
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2 – Management of human activities
in giant otter habitat
 Support for the management of aquatic
habitats, macro-zoning of human use in
Protected Areas (Manu NP).
 Support for monitoring of tourism (with
authorities and tourism operators).
Éxito Promedio de Avistamiento
2000, 2001 y 2002
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
Promedio 3 años
30%
Ju
lio
go
st
Se
o
tie
m
br
e
O
ct
ub
re
No
vi
em
br
e
Di
ci
em
br
e
A
Ju
ni
o
M
ay
o
br
il
A
En
er
o
Fe
br
er
o
M
ar
zo
20%
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Proyecto Lobo de Río
3 – Environmental education / capacitation
 “Pepe, Lobo de Rio” activity in 3 Protected Areas and
their areas of influence - 12,000 children - since 1996.
 “Walk to Lake Sandoval” programme - 2000 children since 2002.
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Proyecto Lobo de Río
3 – Environmental education / capacitation
 Capacitation of park guards and Protected Area staff
re ecology and habitat requirements, 4 courses in two
Protected Areas.
 Capacitation of guides and tourism operators, 11
courses in 13 years.
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Proyecto Lobo de Río
4 – Communication network
 “Friends of the Giant Otter” bulletin
since 2000.
 Web page www.giantotters.com
 Species Representative Pteronura
brasiliensis for the IUCN/SSC Otter
Specialist Group since 2001.
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Proyecto Lobo de Río
5 – Standardisation of field survey techniques
 Creation of database and GIS at the CDC – Univ. La
Molina.
 Standardisation of field distribution survey and
population census techniques.
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Proyecto Lobo de Río
Status of Pteronura brasiliensis in Peru
Distribution
 Small remnant populations widely
distributed in the country, with
the largest population in the
Department of Madre de Dios.
 But: results to date reflect
research effort and not the real
distribution of the species.
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Status of Pteronura brasiliensis in Peru
Habitat use
% de población / crías nacidas
 Large oxbow lakes,
optimal habitat for
the species: large
groups, higher
reproductive
success, higher
survival rates, more
dispersing animals.
 Vs. small rivers
% de Población de Lobos de Río y crías nacidas
en 5 territorios principales
100
80
60
40
% Poblacion Total=69.4
20
% Crias Total=84.8
0
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1999
Año de censo
2000
2001
2002
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Proyecto Lobo de Río
Status of Pteronura brasiliensis in Peru
Densities
 Local densities in optimal habitats may be high
(between 5-10 individuals per 100 has.) but total
populations are low due to small surface area of
optimal habitat.
 In Manu NP population estimated between 80 and 130
animals, stable but not viable in the long term.
 Habitat conservation corridor essential between the
Manu population and those of other Protected Areas in
Madre de Dios and northern Bolivia.
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Proyecto Lobo de Río
Lots of work still to do!!!