“The Soul of the Andes: using the Andean cat as a flagship for the conservation of the biodiversity of the High Andes in north western Argentina”

Project aim: Using the Andean cat as a flagship, we are supporting the creation of a protected area in the Greater Vilama Landscape, NW Argentina. Our aims are: 1. developing innovative research and monitoring protocols for High Andes carnivores, mainly based on spatial modelling of sign counting and camera trapping data, 2. delivering conservation education, through our local Education Officers, build their capacity and that of local Wildlife Monitors to participate in the implementation of the protected area, and 3. creating a network of local people and other institutions aiming to develop conservation-friendly economic activities.
Project team members: Mauro Lucherini, María José Merino, Juan I. Reppucci, Estela Luengos Vidal, Cintia Tellaeche.
Project location: Greater Vilama Landscape, Jujuy Province.
Project timeframe: 2009 – 2011

“Park rangers as wildlife monitors and goat herders as allies in the southern part of the Andean cat´s distribution"

Project aim: To initiate a monitoring network in the southern portion of the Andean cat’s distribution and to implement a pilot program to address the direct threat of retaliatory killing by goat herders in newly-discovered areas with Andean cats.
Project team members: Rocío Palacios, Sebastian Cañadell, Sebastián DiMartino, Ernesto Juan, Alejandro González, Lara Heidel, and Julia Medina
Project location: Mendoza and Neuquén provinces, Argentina
Project timeframe: October 2009-December 2010.

“Contributing to the long term conservation of the Andean cat by developing the basis to establish a conservation and research station in the “Ciudad de Piedra”. Indigenous Territory of the Organization Jach’a Suyu Pakajaqi. La Paz – Bolivia”

Project aim: To promote environmental awareness on the Andean cat conservation and on natural resources' use in communities that have jurisdiction on the “City of Stone” and its surroundings. To estimate the abundance of Andean cat, as a criterion for establishing the Conservation & Research Station in collaboration with the Institute of Ecology
Project team members: Juan Carlos Huaranca and Ma. Lilian Villalba (Responsibles); Alejandra Rocío Torrez and Luis Pacheco.
Project location: “Ciudad de Piedra”, Jacha Suyu Pakajaqi, Pacajes Province, La Paz Department.
Project timeframe: October 2009 - September 2010

“An Educative walk through Natural History Museums: Knowing the Andean cat and the High Andean Biodiversity”

Project aim: To contribute to the knowledge and positive awareness of the Andean cat and the high Andean biodiversity in students whose families maintain their activities of stockbreeding throughout temporal migration to their communities of origin in the high Andean zone and where the Andean cat is present or its likely present
Project team members: Daniela Ulloa y Alejandra Rocío Torrez (Responsibles); M. Lilian Villalba, Juan Carlos Huaranca and Gabriela Aguirre.
Project location:  La Paz city: schools of the El Alto city; Cochabamba city: rural and peri-urban schools and near to the Tunari National Park
Project timeframe: October 2009 - June 2010

Develop an Educational Campaign based on the 3 digital cartoons in all the high Andes in Arica-Parinacota Region, Chile

Project aim: To contribute to the education and knowledge about the Andean cat in students in 20-25 small schools in the high Andes of the Arica and Parinacota Region in Northern Chile.
Project team members: Agustín Iriarte W. and Xavier Rivas (educator).
Project location:Arica and Parinacota Region, Northern Chile

Determine the presence and the ecology of the Andean cat in Puritama, San Pedro de Atcama, Chile

Project aim: To contribute to the understanding of the ecology of the Andean cat its relationship with its main prey at the high Andes of the Antofagasta Region, Chile.
Project team members: Agustín Iriarte W. (Responsible); Rodrigo Villalobos, Catherine Chirgwin, Rodrigo Araya and Nicolas Lagos.
Project location: Pre-Andean zones and Altiplano of Antofagasta Region.

“Create the Andean Cat Research Center in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile”

Project aim: To contribute to the conservation and knowledge about the ecology of the Andean cat its main prey at the high Andes of the Antofagasta Region, Chile.
Project team members: Agustín Iriarte W. and James Sanderson (Responsibles); Rodrigo Villalobos, Catherine Chirgwin, Rodrigo Araya and Nicolas Lagos.
Project location: CONAF SAn Pedro de Atacama headquarter, Antofagasta Region, Chile.

“Schools as instruments for the Andean cat conservation and other endangered Andean species in Carumas and San Cristobal, Moquegua-Peru”

Project aim: To organize and promote the school participation in the identification and solution of problems that might affect endangered andean species such as the Andean cat through an environmental diagnostic school and the formulation of environmental school projects.
Project team members: Alex Cruz (responsible), Analí Madrid, Anty Coronado
Project location: Carumas and San Cristóbal, Moquegua, Perú
Project timeframe:  September 2009 – August 2010

Argentina – Bolivia – Chile
“High Andes Conservation Without Borders”

Funding: Darwin Initiative, UK
Objectives: To increase protection of high Andes biodiversity and of critical natural resource in the triple frontier of Argentina, Bolivia and Chile from threats of incompatible land uses and climate change, through international collaborations. The project focuses on the threats imposed by mining, unregulated tourism and  livestock grazing upon highland wetlands and populations of emblematic species such as the Andean cat and flamingoes
Project personnel: Claudio Sillero, Jorgelina Marino, Patricia Marconi, Magdalena Bennett, Pablo Perovic, M. Lilian Villalba.
Partners and collaborators: AGA, Group for the Conservation of Andean Flamingos (GCFA), protected areas authorities in Argentina (National Parks Administration), Bolivia (SERNAP, REA, DGByAP) and Chile (CONAF).
Location: International project implemented at the triple frontier Argentina, Bolivia and Chile, involving the protected areas and RAMSAR sites existing at each side of the triple frontier.
Start and Completion Dates: April 2010 – April 2012

Argentina – Bolivia – Chile
“Single Road Project. Impact and mitigation of off-road tourism on High Andes habitats of the Triple Frontier (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile)”

Project aim: The aim of the project is to promote mitigation measures that will reduce the long-term impact of off-road tourism, particularly upon habitats suitable for Andean cats and the breeding colonies of flamingoes. Our objectives focus in promote a responsible tourism among the tourist operators of the sector, local communities, car rental companies, public in general and personnel of the protected areas, and simultaneously to contribute to the design of unique roads within the protected zones.
Project team members: Magdalena Bennett; Jorgelina Marino, M. Lilian Villalba, Claudio Sillero.
Project location: International project based around the triple frontier of Argentina, Bolivia and Chile, including: Los Flamencos Reserve (Chile), Eduardo Avaroa Reserve (Bolivia) and Monumento Nacional Pozuelos (Argentina).
Project timeframe: October 2009 – September 2010