Assessing the Effect of Radiocollars on Juvenile Guanaco Survival

• Published in: Oecologia Vol. 124; no. 2; pp. 232 - 234
• Main Authors: Bank, Michael S., Franklin, William L., Sarno, Ronald J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin Springer-Verlag 01.08.2000; Springer
• Subjects: Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Chile; Fawns; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects. Techniques; Lama guanicoe; Methods and techniques (sampling, tagging, trapping, modelling...); Mortality; National parks; Population ecology; Sheep; Ungulates; Wildlife habitats; Wildlife studies; South America; Chile; America; Vertebrata; Population survey; Mammalia; Radiotelemetry; Investigation method; Radiotransmitter; Fixing collar; Impact study; Artiodactyla; Survival; Ungulata; Young animal; Guanaco; Key words Radiocollar; Ungulate; Lama guanicoe
• ISSN: 0029-8549; 1432-1939
• DOI: 10.1007/s004420050011

To evaluate the potential impact of our research activities on guanacos (Lama guanicoe), we tested for effects of radiocollaring on juvenile (≤1 year of age) survival in Torres del Paine National Park, Chile during 1992-1996. The survival of collared (40.1%) and uncollared (38.2%) juveniles was not significantly different (G=0.08; P=0.77). Our results suggest that radiocollaring does not adversely affect the survival of juvenile guanacos. Although we observed no effect of radiocollaring, we still underline the importance of testing for effects of radiocollars in other wildlife investigations when feasible.