Official records indicate that the guanaco population in the Neuquén territory hovers around 20,000 animals.
While their decline is mainly attributed to competition with livestock and poaching, recent studies show signs of recovery, thanks to increased control and environmental education.
The Guanaco in Neuquén: Vulnerable Species
In Neuquén, the guanaco is categorized as a vulnerable species, according to resolution No. 0887/21. Among the causes of the guanacos’ population decline in the province are competition with livestock (especially sheep and goats) and the opening of tracks associated with oil activity that facilitate access to poachers.
During the 2024 Argentine Conference on South American Wild Camelids, researchers from the Applied Ecology Center of Neuquén (CEAN) and the Wildlife Conservation Society of Argentina presented the results of two studies on the species.
According to these surveys, there are about 20,000 wild guanacos roaming the province: 60% in the northeast, 24% in the south, and the remaining 16% in several small, isolated populations.
Conservation Measures and Signs of Recovery
The guanaco population in northeastern Neuquén declined by 93 to 96% in 20 years, due to poaching facilitated by tracks and oil roads. However, thanks to the definitive closure of these tracks, increased control, and the installation of educational signage, the population is beginning to show signs of recovery.
Other factors contributing to this situation include coexistence with productive activities and the abandonment of fields, which reduces poaching.
The Guanaco: a Key Herbivore in Patagonia
The guanaco (Lama guanicoe) is the largest native herbivore in Patagonia. Since the arrival of the Spanish in America, guanaco populations dramatically declined from around 50 million to just a few hundred thousand.
95% of the remaining individuals are found in Argentina, with estimates ranging from 1,200,000 to 1,900,000 guanacos in the country, mainly in Patagonia.
Ecological and Economic Importance of the Guanaco
Ecologically, the guanaco is the most important native herbivore in arid and semi-arid environments. It maintains soil structure and modulates vegetation growth. Their dung piles act as “seed traps” to disperse vegetation.
Additionally, it is the main prey of the puma (Puma concolor), the largest native carnivore, helping to minimize conflicts between this predator and small livestock.
The guanaco also holds economic roles, such as tourism, livestock, or as a “recoverer” of degraded fields. Its historical-cultural significance is noteworthy, as the native cultures of Patagonia used various products derived from this animal.
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