Abstract

SCOROLLI, Alberto Luis. Manejo de caballos cimarrones: la situación en la Argentina . Mastozool. neotrop. [online]. 2016, vol.23, n.2, pp.325-333. ISSN 0327-9383.

There are many feral horses (Equus caballus) populations in Argentina, including some in natural protected areas. These large mammals are considered alien invasive species, and at high population densities can have serious impacts on native biodiversity. In other countries, their populations have been intensely managed, but in Argentina management is scarce and inconsis­tent. Only the population in Tornquist Park, Province Buenos Aires, has been temporarily reduced. Horses are highly valued by the public and management is often contentious. Only methods considered as humane, like live capture with adoption or fecundity control are accepted. It is crucial to implement science-based management in an adaptive manner, taking into account the human dimensions of the problem, with more participation of the decision makers in the media and social outreach. There is much we still don`t know about feral horses in Argentina, like geographic location and population size, demography and impact of most populations. In Argentina, feral horse management should be strategic and follow the precautionary principle in areas were the problem is considered a priority.

Keywords : Equus caballus; Feral horses; Invasive mammals; Management.