Chile:
Conservation of wild Chinchillas in Illapel
Chinchillas (Photos: Dr. Jaime Jimenez, Amy Deane, Roland Seitre) are caviomorph
rodents, which once roamed the hills of Southern America. While thousands
and thousands of domesticated chinchillas are kept on farms and as pets,
the two extant wild species, the Short-tailed Chinchilla (Chinchilla
brevicaudata) and the Long-tailed Chinchilla (Chinchilla
lanigera) are both critically endangered species. Once they were
distributed in the Andes of Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina, today only
a small area of their former habitat in Northern Central Chile
remains.
Wild Chinchillas are pearl grey, with a body like a squirrel, big, round
ears and a bushy tail. The feature they are most known for is their plush
fur. While in human skin one hair grows from one follicle, chinchillas sprout
fifty or more hairs from one follicle. An adult Chinchilla weighs about 400-500
grams. After a gestation period of 110 days one or two juveniles are born,
which are sexually mature after eight months.
Pet and Coat
Because of their shiny, soft fur today Chinchillas are favoured as pets.
Furthermore, the animals are bred in fur farms because the demand for their
shiny fur is still high.
Danger to the last wild Relatives
About half of the wild population exists in a fenced reserve, the Reserva
Nacional Las Chinchillas. The other remaining individuals live on unprotected
private grounds. This population is threatened by human intervention, because
clearing the land for acres and mines has fragmented the Chinchilla's habitat.
In addition, the animals have been hunted intensively since the beginning
of the 19th Century. In the first 30 years more than 3 millions of chinchilla
coats and a few live individuals were exported from Chile. Some authors report
that 21 millions of chinchillas have been hunted in less than 60 years, but
only a fraction of these was suitable for export.
Although hunting for these animals is forbidden today the threat is not yet
eliminated. The slow reproductive rate makes recovery of the population very
slow, if it is possible at all. Grazing animals, logging and mining threaten
the last refuge of this species.
 Research
After the rediscovery of wild populations of Chinchilla lanigera in
the 1970's in Central Chile a series of studies has contributed to the
understanding of the Chinchilla's ecology. The topics cover:
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Identification and analysis of the Chinchilla habitat
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Research upon the plant communities in the habitat
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Growing and Planting of native plants to create migration corridors between
known population
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Further scientific research upon the biology of the Chinchilla
Conservation Measures
The Chinchilla's habitat is the focus of this project. Preserving the populations
outside the reserve includes the restoration of natural habitat. The areas
in which Chinchillas live are being connected by migration corridors. In
constant dialogue with local farmers areas outside the Chinchilla habitat
are sought which can be used for grazing cattle. This measure spares the
still existent habitat and further involves the local community in the project.
Habitat restoration is mainly achieved by re planting native plant species.
Seedlings are bred in the project's nursery. Replanting of vegetation does
not only restore habitat for the Chinchilla, but also for other native animal
species.
Furthermore, conservation measures include preparation and distribution of
educational material. This way the local community is made aware of their
natural heritage and educated to save the environment. Surrounding farmers
and villagers support the project and by their cooperation they show an
increasing positive attitude towards nature and environmental conservation.
 Support
Since 2000, ZGAP supports the project financially. Further support is greatly
appreciated, the easiest way is to make a donation to ZGAP with the purpose
"Chinchilla".
Contact on site
Amy Deane
Save the Wild Chinchillas
1607 Red Cedar Drive 9
Ft. Myers, FL33907
amy_deane@yahoo.com
http://www.wildchinchillas.org
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