Regresar

Large mammal richness in Llanganates National Park, Ecuador

Abstract:

Llanganates National Park (LNP) was created in the Andes of Ecuador with the goal of protecting the biodiverse biota of the Napo and Pastaza river watersheds. Data on richness and abundance of the mammal community in this park are scarce. From February to August 2016 we installed 58 camera-trap stations along an altitudinal gradient ranging from 2000 to 4000 m. With a sampling effort of 2320 trap-nights, we recorded 2034 pictures of 13 species of large native mammals, 10 of which are included in Ecuador's Red List of Endangered Mammal Species. Relative abundance ranged from 0.17 to 3.58 photos/100 trap-nights. Our results are similar to those of other protected areas in the Ecuadorian Andes. During field work, we found evidence of uncontrolled and threating activities for conservation. There is an urgent need to strengthen patrol and law enforcement in the park to reduce human impacts on wildlife and habitat.