A pilot study on the home range and movement patterns of the Andean Fox Lycalopex culpaeus (Molina 1782) in Cotopaxi National Park, Ecuador

Abstract

This study reports movement patterns and home range estimates of an Andean fox (Lycalopex culpaeus) in Cotopaxi National Park in Ecuador, representing the first GPS-tagging of the species. The GPS functioned well during the 197-day tracking period. Home range sizes ranged between 4.9 - 8.1 km2, depending on the estimation method. Movement speeds averaged 0.17 km/hr at day vs. 0.87 km/hr. at night, and distance traveled averaged 0.23 km at day vs. 0.89 km at night. These preliminary results highlight the importance of collecting unbiased, high-quality data which enables an enhanced understanding on mammal behavior and human/animal interaction.