“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 and its habitat in the “Ciudad de Piedra”

Project aim: Promote the conservation of the Andean cat and its habitat by fostering projects based on the conservation and sustainable use of the natural resources in communities that have jurisdiction within the "Ciudad de Piedra” and its surroundings. Increase the knowledge on the biology and ecology of the Andean cat and contribute to the establishment of a Conservation and Research Station, in collaboration with the Institute of Ecology, to develop strategies for the conservation of the Andean biodiversity.

Project team members: Juan Carlos Huaranca, M. Lilian Villalba (Responsibles), Alejandra Rocío Torrez, Fabián Beltrán, Omar Osco y Luis Pacheco.

Project location: “Ciudad de Piedra”, Aymara Indigenous territory, Ayllu Pahaza, Pacajes province, La Paz.

“Awareness and environmental education in elementary schools in Ciudad de Piedra, to raise awareness in conservation on the Andean cat and its ecosystem”

Project aim: To contribute to the knowledge and awareness for the conservation of the Andean cat, through the integration of a) the knowledge on the biodiversity of the region, b) the services that the high Andean and Puna ecosystem provides and c) the importance of the Andean cat conservation, directed to students of schools that are inside and around the “Ciudad de Piedra”.

Project team members: Alejandra Rocío Torrez (Responsible), Juan Carlos Huaranca, Marisol Hidalgo.

Project location: La Paz, “Ciudad de Piedra”, Ayllu Pahaza, provincia Pacajes

Project timeframe: November 2010 – June 2011

“Itinerant exhibition: Knowing the Andean Cat and the High Andean Biodiversity”

Project aim: Contribute to the knowledge and development of a positive awareness of Andean cat conservation and Andean biodiversity in urban school students with strong influence in rural areas, where the Andean cat is present and in the general urban population.

Project team members: Gabriela Aguirre (Responsible), Daniela Ulloa, M. Lilian Villalba, Martín Apaza, Patricia Azcarrunz, Omar Osco y Raquel Galeón.

Project location: Peri-urban schools of the city El Alto and urban environments in La Paz city

Project timeframe: February – June 2011

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