Research on the wild dog in Gualaquiza

A group of researchers made up of academics from the University of Azuay and Forest.ink volunteers found the presence of the mammal, the Speothos venaticus, in the Medicinal Forest located in the Upper Zone of Tumbes, in the Canton of Gualaquiza, Morona Santiago province. known as the bush dog.

The discovery originated from the installation of camera traps along the buffer zone of the Runahurco Municipal Reserve and associated farms.

Thanks to the photographs, recorded between the months of January-April 2020, together with new studies, the presence of this species is confirmed throughout the Medicinal Forest between 1100 masl in a plant formation of Primary Forest associated with bodies of water .

There is little information about this species in the province of Morona Santiago and this record confirms the importance of conserving protected areas within the Gualaquiza canton to preserve endemic flora and fauna species.

Its distribution goes from Panama, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil, Argentina and Guyanas. In Ecuador it inhabits the North Coast, Amazonia and foothills of the Andes within tropical and subtropical forests.

This species is present in the Red Book of Mammals of Ecuador as “vulnerable”, and in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species it appears as “almost threatened”.

This research is a contribution by the United Consortium for the Development of the Amazon, Universidad del Azuay, Forest ink, Bosque Medicinal and local actors.

In the coming months, new research will be presented regarding the mammals registered in this area; likewise, the new research, conservation and tourism programs developed by the “El Paraíso” Local Development Station will be socialized, as a tool for the creation of local and international territorial networks.