# Conflict between Farmers and Guanacos (Lama guanicoe cacsilensis): Field Surveys, Remote Sensing, and Interviews Provide Information for Conservation of a Critically Endangered Species in Southern Peru

## TL;DR

Peruvian guanacos, a critically endangered species, are causing conflict with farmers, who want to resolve the issue through fencing or hunting despite legal protections.

## Contribution

The study combines field surveys, remote sensing, and interviews to understand guanaco-farmer conflict and inform conservation strategies.

## Key findings

- Guanaco family groups avoid agricultural fields, but bachelor bands and solitary individuals enter them due to population pressure.
- 90% of farmers want solutions like fencing or hunting, with 92% seeing no value in guanaco conservation.
- Hunting is illegal, but local attitudes suggest a need for education and community involvement in conservation.

## Abstract

The South American landscape has changed since the Spanish conquest, largely due to the introduction of foreign plants and animals, often at the expense of native species. In the south, Patagonia became a world-class sheep production center, and the native guanaco has almost disappeared. In Peru, guanacos are critically endangered, and an important local increase in their numbers is presently causing a conflict with local farmers in two southern communities. We studied guanaco movements in the area over a year using information from field surveys and remote sensing data from GPS-collared animals. We found that guanaco family groups did not invade agricultural fields, but free-ranging bands of young males and single adults did, perhaps pushed by the greater number of animals and decreased food resources. Information about the losses suffered by the farmers was obtained through interviews. The vast majority felt that guanacos are a problem to be resolved by building better fences, increasing security, or even illegal hunting. Although they are aware that guanacos are protected by law, 92% saw no present or future value in protecting the guanaco. These results show how much research and public education remain to be done to protect the Peruvian guanaco.

The Peruvian guanaco (Lama guanicoe cacsilensis) is classified as being “in critical danger of extinction” by the government. In this study, we evaluate how the conflict between farmers and guanacos in the Susapaya and Estique Districts, Tacna Department (Southern Peru) may represent a threat to their survival. To evaluate the situation, we 1. Conducted field surveys to monitor guanaco presence, 2. Used available remote sensing data to map guanaco movement, and 3. interviewed the impacted farmers concerning their losses. Remote sensing data showed that sedentary guanaco family groups located in prime steppe vegetation habitats never entered agricultural areas, while field surveys showed that bachelor bands and solitary individuals did, perhaps seeking forage due to growing population pressure. Interview data found that 90% of community farmers felt that guanacos were a problem best resolved by better fencing (45%), hunting (19%), or increased security (16%), and 92% saw no value in the conservation of the species. Hunting is illegal, given the critically endangered status of guanacos in Peru, so additional efforts are needed to both educate those who feel guanacos are a menace and involve them in efforts to preserve the species.