Advances in ecology and conservation of Hippocamelus species in South America

Abstract

A symposium was held for the two South American deer of the genus Hippocamelus: the taruka, H. antisensisand the Patagonian huemul, H. bisulcus. The taruka is recognized as vulnerable and the huemul as endangered on theIUCN red list. To reverse the current trend and prevent further imminent declines, 13 recommendations were proposed.For taruka, national recovery plans should be developed and implemented in each country it inhabits, and hunting must bemanaged. For huemul’s lack of recovery, much still remains unknown about the causal factors and their overall significance:culpeo fox (Pseudalopex culpaeus) appear not to be an important mortality agent of heumul fawns, whereas habitat suitabilitymay be the fundamental cause for the declines. Research should be conducted to better evaluate the interplay of threats andtheir relative importance