Leopardus jacobita

Abstract

The Andean Cat has been categorised as Endangered under C2a(i) because the species population does not exceed 2,500 mature individuals, and there is an inferred continuing decline in the population, with less than 250 mature individuals in the largest subpopulation. A reduction in the population of the Andean Cat is inferred based on several lines of evidence: a. the decrease in reports of live animal sightings from local people; b. the increase of other threats that lead to the direct death of individuals, such as roadkills, retaliatory killings and dog attacks. In addition, a population decrease is suspected due to the rapidly increase in mining activities in most of the distribution range of this felid, especially the high Andes.Although formal population density estimates (using robust statistical methods) are only available for two sites (Reppucci et al. 2011, Huaranca et al. 2019), our conclusions are supported by a number of additional studies on the ecology and distribution of this felid and much anecdotal evidence collected over 20 years by a team of experts that is specifically dedicated to the investigation and conservation of the Andean Cat across its entire range, the Andean Cat Alliance. Furthermore, the low population number is fully congruent with the results of recent studies that found very low genetic and genomic diversity (Cossios et al. 2012, Lescroart et al. 2023).A further reason of concern for the conservation of this species is that most of the Andean Cat habitat is subject to major threats due to the expansion of the agricultural frontier, inadequate livestock management, and water extraction (Villaroel et al. 2014, Huaranca et al. 2022), as well as extensive water and soil transformation and contamination from a growing mining and petroleum industry (Walker et al. 2013, Chavez et al. 2023). While mining is already widely distributed on the Andean Cat's known distribution and is affecting the species both directly and indirectly, most of nearby unexploited areas are affected by requests or permits for mining exploration and exploitation. In addition, some areas, particularly in Bolivia and Peru, are subject to illegal mining. Besides this, the most suitable area (core area) for the Andean Cat population lying in the central part of its distribution, is located within the so called “lithium triangle”, and is now threatened by the growing lithium demand for batteries. Although the areas for lithium extraction are situated in salt flats, which are not the most suitable habitat for Andean Cats, possible impacts could arise from the growing demand of lithium in the surrounding areas, besides the increase of road construction and usage, urbanisation, chemical spillage, and contamination of surface and ground waters. Furthermore, models show that global climate change will be a great threat for Andean Cats throughout most of its range. The modification of the habitat due to changes in climatic patterns is causing the species to shift their range to higher altitudes, ultimately resulting in a decrease in the available habitat for the Andean Cat therefore reducing the size of its total geographic distribution (Bennett et al. 2017). Andean Cats require large home ranges to subsist (average size: 51.2 km2, N=4, Villalba et al. 2009, Tellaeche 2015), and the low density of the species reduces the chances of meetings between individuals of opposite genders in the mating season. The fast degradation of the regions surrounding the protected areas may turn those areas in unsuitable places for the species, acting as barriers for dispersal and mating. If corridors are not created urgently, the protected areas existing in Andean Cat habitat will be insufficient to ensure proper habitat connectivity.Considering the constant increase of the mentioned threats, the natural fragmentation of the habitat and the augmented fragmentation due to habitat loss and degradation, a continued decline of the population number is inferred.