Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-p9bg8 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-26T05:26:24.710Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Large ranches as conservation tools in the Venezuelan llanos

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 April 2009

Rafael Hoogesteijn  and
Colin A. Chapman
Rafael Hoogesteijn
Affiliation:
Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Newins Ziegler Hall, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.
Colin A. Chapman
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, 223 Bartram Hall, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

Traditionally, wildlife conservation efforts have concentrated on the establishment of national parks and reserves. Additional strategies are needed if we are to conserve more than a small proportion of the world's natural habitats and their wildlife. One such strategy is the application of wildlife conservation regulations by private land owners on their properties. This paper uses examples of ranches in the seasonally flooded llanos of Venezuela to evaluate if effective wildlife conservation can coexist with sustainable wildlife use and cattle production. Income estimates derived from cattle production data varied among ranches from $US7.1 to $US26.4 per ha, while estimates of potential additional income through regulated capybara Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris and caiman Caiman crocodilus exploitation ranged up to $US7.7 per ha. The economic benefits of capybara and caiman harvests can be realized only by protecting wildlife habitat. Thus, it is suggested that large ranches in the llanos can play a major role in wildlife conservation as well as provide economic gains for those involved. Common denominators for success are: personal involvement of owners, effective patrolling systems, co-operation of neighbouring ranchers in patrolling activities, and ranches being located far from densely populated areas. For the programmes to succeed in the long term, government and conservation agencies will need to give more support to landowners.

Type
Research Article
Information
Oryx , Volume 31 , Issue 4 , October 1997 , pp. 274 - 284
Copyright
Copyright © Fauna and Flora International 1997

References

Alho, C., Campos, Z. and Goncalves, H. 1989. Ecology, social behaviour and management of the capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris). In Advances in Neotropical Mammalogy (eds Redford, K. H. and Eisenberg, J. F.), pp. 163–194. The Sandhill Crane Press, Gainesville.Google Scholar
Brokx, P. 1984. South America. In White-tailed Deer: Ecology and Management (ed. Halls, L. K.), pp. 525–546. Stockpole, Harrisburg, PA.Google Scholar
Carvajal, J. 1989. Las babas: bajo la piel del negocio. Paideia, 24, 53–57.Google Scholar
Chapman, C.A. 1991. Reproductive biology of captive capybaras. Journal of Mammalogy, 72, 206–208.Google Scholar
Eltringham, S.K. 1984. Wildlife Resources and Economic Development. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, New York.Google Scholar
Eisenberg, J.F. 1980. The density and biomass of tropical mammals. In Conservation Biology: An Evolutionary-Ecological Perspective (eds Soulé, M. E. and Wilcox, B. A.), pp. 35–55. Sinauer, Sunderland, MA.Google Scholar
Eisenberg, J.F., O'Connell, M.A. and August, P.V. 1979. Density, productivity and distribution of mammals in two Venzuelan habitats. In Vertebrate Ecology in the Northern Neotropics (ed. Eisenberg, J. F.), pp. 187–207. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, DC.Google Scholar
Espinoza, E.J. 1994. Evaluation of the spectacled caiman (Caiman crocodilus) harvest program in Venezuela's private lands: financial and biological considerations. MA thesis, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gonzalez-Jimenez, E. 1977. The capybara: an indigenous source of meat in tropical America. World Animal Review, 21, 24–30.Google Scholar
Herrera, E.A. 1986. The behavioral ecology of the capybara, Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris. PhD thesis, Oxford University, Oxford.Google Scholar
Hoogesteijn, R. 1987. Management of strategic artificial insemination programmes in Venezuelan beef cattle. In III Beef Cattle Shortcourse (eds Plasse, D. and Peña, N.), pp. 255–289. Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Central University, Maracay, Venezuela.Google Scholar
Hoogesteijn, R. 1988. Selection programs for commercial beef cattle herds in the initial stages of development. In IV Beef Cattle Shortcourse (eds Plasse, D. and Peña, N.), pp. 75–98. Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Central University, Maracay, Venezuela.Google Scholar
Hoogesteijn, R. 1989. Calendar of annual activities for a seed-bull producing herd in floodplain conditions. In V Beef Cattle Shortcourse (eds Plasse, D. and Peña, N.), pp. 281–316. Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Central University, Maracay, Venezuela.Google Scholar
Hoogesteijn, R., Illesca, M. and Mendoza, O. 1991. Program for the improvement of the reproductive efficiency in two extensive beef cattle breeding ranches in the Apure State. Revista Asocebu, 87, 5–21.Google Scholar
Hoogesteijn, R. 1993. Organization and results in an artificial insemination program with non-lactating cows in Apure. In IX Beef Cattle Shortcourse (eds Plasse, D., de Borsotti, N. Peña and Arango, J.), pp. 131–155. Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Central University, Maracay, Venezuela.Google Scholar
Hoogesteijn, R. and Mondolfi, E. 1993. The Jaguar. Ediciones Armitano C. A., Caracas, Venezuela.Google Scholar
Hoogesteijn, R. 1994. Management of an artificial insemination program in a non-lactating beef cattle herd and reduction of the loss between pregnancy and calving. Carabobo Pecuario, 128, 10–13.Google Scholar
Luxmoore, R.A., Groombridge, B. and Broad, S. 1988. Significant Trade in Wildlife: A Review of Selected Species in CITES Appendix II. Vol. 2: Reptiles and Invertebrates. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK.Google Scholar
Luy, A. 1992. Consideraciones sobre la factibilidad de establecer un programa de manejo del jaguar mediante la caceria deportiva. In Felinos de Venezuela Biologia, Ecologia y Conservation (ed. Clement, R.), pp. 161–173. Memorias del Symposium organizado por Fudeci. Valencia, Venezuela.Google Scholar
Medellin, R.A. and Redford, K.H. 1992. The role of mammals in neotropical forest-savanna boundaries. In Nature and Dynamics of Forest-Savanna Boundaries (eds Furley, P. A., Proctor, J. and Ratter, J. A.), pp 159–548. Chapman and Hall, London.Google Scholar
Mendez Arocha, J.L. and Ojasti, J. 1995. Economic and social appraisal of wildlife as a strategy for conservation in tropical America. In Integrating People and Wildlife for a Sustainable Future (eds Bissonette, J. A. and Krausman, P. R.), pp. 41–43. Proceedings of the First International Wildlife Management Congress. The Wildlife Society, Bethesda.Google Scholar
Ojasti, J. 1973. Estudio Biologico del Chiguire o Capybara. Fondo Nacional de Investigaciones Agropecuarias, Caracas, Venezuela.Google Scholar
Ojasti, J. 1978. The relation between population and production of the capybara. PhD thesis, University of Georgia, Athens.Google Scholar
Ojasti, J. 1983. Ungulates and large rodents of South America. In Tropical Savannas. Ecosystems of the World (ed. Boulière, F.), pp. 427–439. Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company, New York.Google Scholar
Ojasti, J. 1991. Human exploitation of capybara. In Neotropical Wildife Use and Conservation (eds Robinson, J. G. and Redford, K. H.), pp. 236–252. The University of Chicago Press, Chicago.Google Scholar
Plasse, D., Fossi, H. and Hoogesteijn, R. 1993. Mortality and loss in beef cattle. In IX Beef Cattle Shortcourse (eds Plasse, D., de Borsotti, N. Peña and Arango, J.), pp. 1–46. Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Central University, Maracay, Venezuela.Google Scholar
Rivero-Blanco, C. 1990. Hacia Donde Debe ir el Programa Baba? III Taller Sobre Conservation y Manejo de la Babab (Caiman crocodilus). Relatoria Final. Fundafauna, Caracas.Google Scholar
Sarmiento, G. 1984. The Ecology of Neotropical Savannas. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA.Google Scholar
Schaller, G.B., Quigley, H.B. and Crawshaw, P.G. 1984. Biological investigations in the Pantanal, Mato Grosso, Brazil. National Geographic Society Research Reports, 17, 777–792.Google Scholar
Shaw, J. 1991. The outlook for sustainable harvest of wildlife in Latin America. In Neotropical Wildlife Use and Conservation (eds Robinson, J. G. and Redford, K. H.), pp. 24–34. The University of Chicago Press, Chicago.Google Scholar
Sunquist, F. 1984. Cowboys and capybaras. International Wildlife, 14, 4–9.Google Scholar
Thorbjarnarson, J. 1991. An analysis of the spectacled caiman (Caiman crocodilus) harvest program in Venezuela. In Neotropical Wildife Use and Conservation (eds Robinson, J. G. and Redford, K. H.), pp. 216–235. The University of Chicago Press, Chicago.Google Scholar