Health status survey of wild populations of the dwarf brocket (Mazama rufina) and the Andean tapir (Tapirus pinchaque) in the massif of Mamapacha (Boyacá, Colombia) Phase 1: Determining the presence and habitat use of Mazama rufina and Tapirus pinchaque in the massif of Mamapacha. Final report By Javier Adolfo Sarria Perea (jasarrip@yahoo.com ) 1 and Diana S. F. Vargas Munar (faridev@yahoo.com ) 2 Address: Carrera 71B No. 74A-57, Bogotá D.C. – Colombia. Tel: +571 6041521, Mobile: 57 3112718240. 1 DVM MSc, Independent researcher, Project coordinator 2 Degree in Animal Sciences MSc. Professor of Genetics, Universidad Agraria de Colombia Uniagraria. . INTRODUCTION The massif of Mamapacha, with an estimated area of 27,512 hectares distributed among five communities, is one of the most representative fragments of cloud forest and paramo in the south of the department of Boyacá. Together with the massif of Rabanal, forms the basin of the Garagoa River, which feeds 53% of the water for five populations that sums 200,000 inhabitants and the water for the Chivor dam, which produces 8% of the electric energy consumed by the entire country (Corpochivor 2001). For this reason, the massif was declared Natural Water Protection Reserve and is considered a strategic ecosystem for the future recovery of biological corridors and natural landscapes (Alfonso & Gómez, 2003). However, its most important ecologic areas are owned by some landowners and farmers which used some areas for cattle ranching (Grucon – Corpochivor, 1996). Cattle ranching negatively affect populations of wild ungulates in Colombia’s Andean regions. There is believed to be due to direct competition with livestock and the alteration of wild animals’ patterns of habitat use and distribution (Chalukian 2003). Livestock also negatively impacts the sanitary status of wildlife, transmitting different pathogens, some of zoonotic character (Peterson, 1991; Nettles, 1992; Frolich et al., 2002; Deem et al., 2004). Perhaps because of its pervasiveness, these negative impacts have received little scientific and public attention in Colombia. The massif has already been subject of some conservation activities, such as some specific reintroduction programs involving native wildlife species such as Andean bear (Tremarctos ornatus) and condor (Vultur gryphus) (Alfonso & Gómez, 2003), and the creation of one rehabilitation centre for Andean wildlife (Fernandez et al, 2002). However, little attention has been addressed to the native Andean ungulates. It is known that red dwarf brocket (Mazama rufina, Artiocadtyla; Cervidae) is already present in the massif, and the presence of the Andean tapir (Tapirus pinchaque, Perissodactyla; Tapiridae) is suspected (Corpochivor 1997, Montenegro 2002). Both of the latter are considered endangered by the Colombian Government (Rodriguez, 1998), and have been legally protected since 1969 (Resolution 574 of 1969). Furthermore, the IUCN/SSC – Deer Specialist Group Action Plan recommends the study of this brocket species, because it’s little known (Wemmer, 1998), while the Action Plan for all tapir species by the Colombian government strongly recommends the in-field confirmation of the presence of the Andean tapir in the northern Eastern Cordillera (MAVDT, 2005).