Mamíferos grandes y medianos en Ecuador: recomendaciones para su captura y manejo

The ecology, evolution and behavior of mammals still have many aspects that are poorly understood. In Ecuador, large-scale research efforts remain limited, underscoring the need for more in-depth studies. Long-term field studies are critical to address the conservation challenges of various species; however, the collection of essential data is often hampered by the difficulties associated with capturing and marking animals. In the last decade, satellite tracking systems have revolutionized research on medium and large mammals by enabling real-time monitoring of their movements. However, despite technological advances, the capture and release of animals, especially after the placement of tracking devices, continues to face significant logistical and practical challenges. In this article, we share our thoughts on the capture and collaring processes for medium and large-sized mammals, based on our experience with 107 individuals that we have successfully captured, tagged, and released. Our ultimate goal is to provide practical guidelines based on these experiences to facilitate future field research efforts.