84 Advances, Challenges and Prospects for the Sustainable Use of the chigüiro in Colombia

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Abstract The sustainable use of chigüiro or capybara is a strategy proposal to prevent the decline of the species population by maintaining and conserving appropriate habitats, reducing illegal capture, promoting its recognition, and achieving a better distribution of its benefits and its environmental services. The objective of this work is to present the progress made toward the sustainable use of capybaras in Colombia. The biological information compiled during the last 15 years indicates that the density of the populations of this species is heterogeneous throughout the flooded savannahs with space-time variations between < 1 individual/ha, and up to 6 individual/ha. These variations are associated with strong climatic variations, changes in habitat quality, and the impact of a series of conditioning factors, both natural (water availability over time) and anthropogenic origin (hunting, land use, eventual competition with cattle, and the incidence of burning). Commercial hunting as a sustainable strategy includes the identification of various products and by-products of the species, as well as its linkage in Bioeconomy projects (Figure 1) through the compliance of associated normative, the reinforcement of environmental authorities, an effective communication strategy and user commitment. Capybara meat is characterized by having a low-fat content and a protein ratio greater than 20%; and its carcass meat performance is between 44% and 53%. In addition to the training in the preparation of various meat by-products and the analysis and processing of the fur, there is an updated market study that includes an interview phase, a pilot test of exploitation, yields and tastings for approach to the actor of the commercial chain and meet future investors or buyers. With these results, a financial model was formulated with all the necessary costs to make use of the Chigüiro products. Additionally, a prototype processing plant was designed and it has three mobile components (A, B, C); two complementary fixed structures (D, E) and a module for the processing of by-products and waste (Figure 2). Finally, linking capybara population concentration points within ecotourism activities will expand the options for its use and conservation of the Chigüiro population and its habitats. Among the actual limitations for Chigüiro use we have the delay in issuing the resolution for the allocation of the global utilization quota, and the modification of the closure to increase the period of use. These resolutions will encourage the participation of other users and local investors, which is expected to reduce the transformation of natural ecosystems and their associated biodiversity.

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