Programa de manejo sostenible para el venado de cola blanca Odocoileus virginianus (Zimmermann,1780) para la Reserva de Producción de Fauna Chimborazo

Abstract

The present investigation proposes: designing a sustainable management program for the white tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus (Zimmermann, 1780) for the Fauna Production Reserve Chimborazo. It started from an analysis of historical records with the collection of primary and secondary source; its purpose is understands the determination of the scientific name of the white tailed deer present in Ecuador, its distribution and habitat, feeding, categorization, sociability and problems threatening its existence throughout history. Consequently, the population density of this mammal was characterized from a field investigation with the application of presence and absence techniques of individuals through direct observation and photo trapping techniques with the use or trapping cameras installed in stakes, trees and bushes, which permitted to determine the ruminant population density within the RPFCH and the preferred ecosystems, months with a major sight presence, the activity and rest cycle, lunar phases, actual problems and eventualities in each sampling area within the reserve. The conclusion consist of the proposal of conservation and protection strategies for the focal study object with a conceptual model design determining a long term conservation and protection goal for the white tailed deer and its habitat proposing strategic interventions to minimize direct and threatening in the reserve attempting the ungulate extinction.

Key words: sustainable management programs, white tailed deer, umbrella species, photo trapping, activity cycle.