The current key challenge is to reach sufficient group sizes of captive-bread huemul. This will require several years. Once reached, each year a small group may be taken from the breeding center and released in a selected reintroduction area.
In Argentina, this is the first and only initiative of this type. Until recently there had been only one breeding station for huemul, located in Chile. Their objective also was to reintroduce the species to areas where they had been exterminated in the past.
The project's main objective - reintroductions - is completely different from all other huemul conservation strategies currently employed in Argentina. These protect the species but fail to address the artificially reduced distribution due to past human impact.
Given the published results on huemul health problems from living year-round in nutritionally poor habitat, a conservation-only approach appears inadequate. So our approach relies on adaptive management, specifically via a breeding center and reintroductions. The accessibility of huemul in the center enables specific scientific studies aiming at improving the limited data available on this species so far.
Consequentially, a main need of this program is to cover the operational costs of both the breeding center and huemul studies. This involves contracting animal caretakers to work in the very remote breeding center, assure mobility, connectivity and security. Depending on the research topic, funds are also needed to cover the costs of various laboratories and technical personnel.
This project is planned to remain active until the huemul is no longer endangered as per IUCN and government criteria. This goal will require continuous funding.