Saving The Pacarana: Conservation Project (blueprint) in Venezuela.
Saving The Pacarana: Conservation Project (blueprint) in Venezuela
The pacarana is the only living member of the Dinomyidae family, a group that had its maximum diversification in the Miocene, so it is currently considered a living fossil. Its current known distribution includes the humid forests of the Andean piedmont of Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil and Bolivia, in an altitudinal range between 240 and 3400 m. All distribution records in Venezuela come from the Merida mountain range. The first reports belong to the western slope, in the southwest of the Táchira state between 1000 and 1500 m, and the most recent come from the lake side of Maracaibo, in the state of Merida, between 650 and 2100 m high.
At present their populations are decreasing drastically, because the pressure of hunting is greater than its reproductive rate, and its distribution has contracted to less than 50% of its original surface. On an international scale, the IUCN has classified it as Endangered, as in Venezuela through Decree No. 1,486 (11/09/1996).
The current situation of this species requires the adoption of conservation measures. It is urgent to stop hunting by implementing environmental education programs that disclose the prohibition of hunting, as well as avoid the destruction of their natural habitat.
Geographic area where the project will be developed:
This conservation project will be carried out in the vicinity of El Tamá National Park, a protected area of 139,000 ha, located between the Táchira and Apure states in Venezuela.
Threats:
Extension of agricultural and livestock activities: El Tamá National Park is considered one of the most threatened areas of the country, where there are agricultural sectors dedicated to coffee and other crops, as well as livestock, which together affects almost 17% of the total area of the park.
Extensive hunting practice: Within the El Tamá National Park, the extraction of the species is extensively practiced, which is highly valued by local hunters as a piece of subsistence hunting. It does not rule out sport hunting or entertainment purposes.
Introduction of exotic species: The presence of domestic dogs constitutes an additional threat, since the species has a very limited ability to climb trees, which makes it an easy prey.
Forest fires: Within the El Tamá National Park there are numerous forest fires. Burning for agricultural purposes often loses control, spreading through the adjoining forest area. Although the severity of the damage caused by the fire is unknown, a high incidence is estimated in the destruction of the habitat of the species.
Pressures:
Fragmentation and destruction of natural habitats: The natural habitats of the species throughout its distribution are seriously intervened and fragmented. On the other hand, its high specificity in the selection of habitat reduces its capacity for expansion and establishment.
Alteration of the population structure: Possible distortions in the sex ratio. Although the population parameters of the individuals extracted by hunting are unknown, records indicate a marked preference for adult males, due to their greater size and weight.
Decrease in population density: Globally (throughout its current distribution) the decline of its populations is considered in more than 30% in the last ten years.
Factors:
Non-compliance with regulations on the execution of economic activities in protected areas.
Lack of knowledge and / or little disclosure of current legislation on hunting and extraction activities.
Insufficient surveillance in compliance with current regulations.
Lack of environmental education.
Cultural preference for game meat.
Little awareness and sense of belonging of local communities.
Vision of the conservation project:
Recover Pacarana populations (Dinomys branickii) in El Tamá National Park, through strategies that minimize human pressures on the species.
Objectives of the conservation project:
General objective: Reduce the decline of Pacarana populations in El Tamá National Park.
Specific objectives:
Reduce the destruction and fragmentation of the pacarana habitat.
Reduce the hunting of the pacarana.
Work team / key players:
Ministry of People's Power for Ecosocialism and Waters (MINEA)
National Institute of Parks (INPARQUES)
Personnel trained in the environmental education area.
Technical and scientific personnel trained in the area of species conservation.
Non-governmental organizations dedicated to environmental conservation.
Companies interested in developing social responsibility activities in the area of conservation.
Tourism companies interested in exploiting the value of the species as a unique element of the fauna in the region.
Social actors and community leaders.
Schematic summary of the conservation project:
Bibliographic references:
Aranguren, C. I., Rangel, Y. and Soriano, P. J. (2015). Pacarana, Dinomys branickii. In: J.P. Rodríguez, A. García-Rawlins and F. Rojas-Suárez (eds.) Red Book of the Venezuelan Fauna. Fourth edition. Provita and Fundación Empresas Polar, Caracas, Venezuela.
Ojasti, J. and Lacabana, P. (2008). Pacarana, Dinomys branickii. pp: 86. In: J.P. Rodríguez and F. Rojas-Suárez (eds.) Red Book of the Venezuelan Fauna. Third edition. Provita and Shell Venezuela, S.A., Caracas, Venezuela.
Saavedra-Rodríguez CA. (2012). Conservation and management plan for the Guagua wolf (Dinomys branickii) for the Regional System of Protected Areas of the Colombian Coffee Region. Autonomous Regional Corporation of Risaralda (CARDER), Pereira, Colombia.
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