The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund

Colo-Colo Cat (Leopardus colocola) Case Study

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MBZF Grant 220530013
Mammal

Continent: South America

Country: Chile

Grant Amount: $5,000

Awarded Date: February 05, 2023

Carlos Castro Pastene

Pampas Cat Working Group

Lago Villarrica 1019

San Vicente de Tagua Tagua

Región del Libertador Bernardo O´Higgins

2970000

Chile

Tel: +56995982847

Mob: +56995982847

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Conservation initiatives to prevent human-pampas cat conflict and minimize the impact of domestic animals

Conservation initiatives to prevent human-pampas cat conflict and minimize the impact of domestic animals. Mapuche chickens to prevent attacks and vaccination campaign.

We reduce human-pampas cat conflict by improving hen houses, providing guidance on best practices for protecting poultry and providing alternative income through pairs of Mapuche chickens. The Mapuche hen is red and has no tail. Cats have dichromatic vision and cannot differentiate green from red, so the hen is better camouflaged. In addition, carnivores capture hens by their tails, which is a little more difficult for them to capture.

We vaccinate more than 75% of all domestic dogs and cats in Vilches Alto (village adjacent to the Reserve) and we deworm domestic animals that interact with wildlife. We also got the contribution of a little pharmaceutical company and with that we took care of the horses and cows of the cowboys. This way they benefit from living close to carnivores (since they are the ones that are attacked the most). We also take the opportunity to introduce them to the little cats.

Now the residents of Vilches Alto see the small carnivores in a different light, as they are benefiting from improved chicken houses, better adapted hens and veterinary care for their animals.

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