Southern Huemul Conservation Center

The Huemul is endemic for southern Chile and Argentina, ranked Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 1973. Despite the unknown number of copies in existence, its present population is estimated at an amount less than 1,500 copies worldwide.

Threats for this species are multiples and varied, mostly of anthropogenic origin, possibly being of greatest impact until nowerdays, farming and forestry activities, poaching and diseases transmitted by cattle and pets such as dogs.

This animal not only spreads diseases, it causes death by attacks and persecutions, affecting in some sectors young huemuls which do not have defense on these events.
In order to preserve this species, Huilo Huilo Foundation created the "Conservation Center of the Southern Huemul", which is located within the Biological Reserve Huilo Huilo, with the ultimate goal to reintroduce the species in a geographical area of which the reserve is part, where these representatives of our fauna were present until two decades ago.

Donor Population

To extract samples the Aysen region was selected. According to the information available at that time, the region had identified several populations at risk which were not protected. It was also the area of ​​Chile that included the largest number of huemul sub-populations, and where his registration had been more frequent and continued over the past three decades.

Reception Plan Huilo Huilo

The Reserve Huilo Huilo was projected to enclosure of approximately 64 hectares, designed to receive the initial "units" and house them inside their descendants. This closure was established in the Pampa de Pilmaiquén Pampa, offering a high abundance and diversity of native plants particularly of shrubs, trees and herbs throughout the year. This sector has also the advantage to be excluded from cattle use for almost 30 years. It is located in lower altitude with a lower amount of snow and can receive the moderating influence of Lake Pirehueico.

Project Implementation

On April 18, 2005, south of Cochrane, on a private farm the extraction of the huemules for subsequent transfer to the Reserve Huilo Huilo took place. All proceedings in the capture process was thoroughly studied before, it was one of the most complex stages. We captured two copies, one female and one male, during one event. This is done with tele-injection or chemical immobilization with anesthetic darts, considering it as the safest way. Each sample was checked and its physiological variables such as rectal temperature, respiratory rate and heart rate were monitored. In addition, each specimen was individualized with a VHF radio collar and identified with a unique frequency. For the transportation there were specially for the project made wooden crates used.

To reach the reserve Huilo Huilo were three flights: the first by helicopter from near Villa O'Higgins, Aysen to Cochrane. From this area where flown to Temuco, and from here transfered in helicopter to Huilo Huilo Reserve.

Project Development

Huilo Huilo had started to work with the specimens brought from Aysén in a controlled or semi-captive ambient, in which it is intended that the animals can live within the facility as natural as possible with minimal human intervention. Copies are free environments to their new habitat problems and presented a very good body condition, had good food, it enjoyed a considerable and varied food supply.

The year 2005 is a complex health event. The male exhibited wounds of unknown origin in their paws. The following month, was the female who presented a second picture even more complex. In both cases the animals remained under observation, is given antibiotics, making each issue out of her complication. At the end of 2005 comes the birth of Fochem, huemul first breeding in a controlled environment, made successful and a pioneer in our territory.

The winter of 2006 there were heavy snowfalls in the area, covering close to disappearing completely. But huemules not escape, set up a shelter within the Center and remained there until the snow disappeared.

A few months later confiscated a huemul SAG in Futaleufu, which is delivered to Huilo Huilo for care. The year 2006 is one of the saddest years for those working on the project. Within the closure is the first female dead brought from the Aysen Region. The autopsy indicated that death was caused by a bullet wound, which ultimately led to cardiac arrest. Until today it has not been given to the authors. The year 2010 built a new closure, which was derived from the first male specimen was taken from the south, while the two males born at the Center with new genetic went to closing with the females to keep trying new reproductions. For the adult male aggression, we could not keep all the males in the same closure.

Today the Center for Reproduction of Huemul del Sur has seven specimens of this species.

Future Project

Within two to three years will begin to evaluate a plan of gradual liberalization of huemul south to Huilo Huilo Reserve. To consider the release of individuals will be expected to have a population of huemules in the center of at least 10 breeding stock.

Importance of Conservation Huemul

Initiatives allow ex-situ conservation establish long-term captive breeding programs to preserve the genetic material of the species and produce animals for reintroduction.
In the short to medium term to develop management tools allow for refining the techniques of breeding and reintroduction of endangered species. Being able to play the huemul, keep the animals alive and in good condition within a controlled environment, is able to generate an important tool for the preservation of this species is now in serious danger of extinction.

Today there is the ability to perform this action, and therefore a small guarantee for an extinction event, which are inevitable to continue the current conditions.