The Darwin's fox and the Channel Island fox are considered to be the two most endangered Canids in the world. The population size of the two species is less than the population size of many highly endangered carnivores. Whilst there is much research and active conservation efforts for the Channel Island fox (in California of the US), the Darwin’s fox of Chiloé, Chile, remains one of the most enigmatic Canids in the world.
Large sums have been spent for the conservation of flagship species, but the Darwin’s fox has largely been ignored and is in urgent need of active conservation and further research.
We estimate that only approx. £200,000 (approx. US $350,000) has been spent on Darwin's fox conservation in total (mostly by a Darwin Initiatve grant 2002-5 to our project and Cabala Produccion Audiovisual's production of the series of infomercials "Historias de Payne Nguru"). £ 200,000 / US$ 350,000 in total is less than the joint budgets of North American and European wolf conservation projects per month!
We currently seek sponsorship for the following projects which will significantly enhance conservation of the Darwin's / Chiloé fox.
Sponsorship funding will be used exclusively for the outlined purpose and will be administsred by one of the listed partner organizations. Sponsorship will be acknowledged on all published materials.
RESEARCH
First-ever parasitological analyses of Darwin's fox feces
From 2002-2005, we collected a large number of fecal samples, respresenting an unrivalled source of information about the parasites and diseases of the endangered Darwin's fox. The analyses will cost approx. $ 400 - $ 600 (US) for laboratory expenses. The analyses will be analyzed and a manuscript will be submitted to a wildlife disease journal. Contact Stephan Funk or Cristóbal Briceño or Jaime Jimenez for further information.
Social research
Hasta la fecha se han realizado trabajos focalizados de recoleccion de datos e historias sobre el zorro chilote, pero aun hay numerosos vacios territoriales (practicamente todo el sector sur de la isla) donde no se han realizado encuestas ni entrevistas. La recopilacion de la tradicion oral es clave para entender la relacion historica de la gente con el zorro, sus cambios de actitud, conocer donde ha sido visto y evaluar el nivel de conocimiento, el que hasta el momento es escaso, ya que algunos incluso creen que se trata de un animal mitologico. Para continuar con esta investigacion a traves de un modelo de trabajos voluntarios que potencien la participacion de los habitantes de la isla en el proyecto se necesitaria de un presupuesto de al menos $5.000.000 pesos / £5,000 / US$ 11,000 para cubrir gastos de transporte y otros costos operacionales, materiales, y honorarios para un asistente de terreno y un coordinador de proyecto por 6 meses. Para mayores detalles se ruega contactar a Daniela Rusowsky
OUTREACH
Nation-wide outreach via engaging poster
Our series of posters about biodiversity and endangered species has achieved major impact on human attitudes about conservation on Chiloé Island. We like to extend the outreach to the whole of Chile and seek sponsorship to help us design, produce and distribute a poster to promote the conservation of the Darwin's / Chiloé fox. Approximate cost is US$ 1,000. For details contact Daniela Rusowsky.
Education campaign on Chiloé Island
La confeccion de materiales educativos y la buena acogida de estos por parte de profesores y alumnos, tanto de Chiloe, como de otros sectores de Chile, a generado la necesidad de continuar con la tarea emprendida. Numerosas instituciones estan esperando poder acceder a una copia del video o del boletín de juegos, como tambien necesitan de la capacitacion adecuada para establecer el tema del zorro chilote como en forma permanente e independiente del proyecto. Es preciso contar con un presupuesto minimo para hacer copias DVD, gastos operacionales y pago de honorarios a las coordinadoras en Chiloe y Santiago durante 6 meses de trabajo, cifra aproximada de $3.500.000 pesos / £3,500 / US$8,000. Para mayores detalles se ruega contactar a Daniela Rusowsky.
INFRASTRUCTURE
Establishing a new research and education center in central Chiloé
We have identified a 3.8 ha piece of land in the central / forested area of Chiloé. The area is ideal for the establishment of a research station and education center. The land includes two green houses and a small cabin. The land is on offer for approx £16,000 / US $25,000. Please contact Nature Heritage or Stephan Funk for details.
Funding was provided between June 2002 and May 2005 by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), United Kingdom, in form of a Darwin Initiative Grant (project number No 11/013).
CNTV, Santiago, Chile, has financed the series of TV short stories for Canal 4 Ancud on Darwin's foxes and the project ("Historias de Payne Ngüru"). The series was produced by Cabala Produccion Audiovisual, Santiago, Chile, with addittional financial support by the project partner Bosque Modelo Chiloé.
Parque Tepuhueico has kindly sponsored our work by providing facilities for field work
