Wildlife monitoring refers to activities carried out to assess and track the presence, distribution, abundance, and behavior of native or migratory fauna in areas influenced by projects and activities subject to environmental licensing, which are considered to have actual or potential impacts on wildlife.
These activities follow the guidelines established by competent environmental agencies, such as the Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) and State Environmental Departments. These institutions are responsible for enforcing compliance with environmental conditions and implementing necessary measures to ensure biodiversity conservation.
According to Article 8 of Normative Instruction No. 146, dated January 10, 2007, the "Fauna Monitoring Program must present specific conservation and monitoring programs for endangered species listed in official lists that are registered within the direct influence area of the project and considered impacted by the project."
Monitoring actions may include the use of techniques such as live trapping (e.g. live box, laço, bal-chatridirect observation, installation of camera traps, analysis of traces (such as tracks, feces), among other methods. Additionally, approaches like telemetry can be used to track movements and displacement patterns of threatened species. The data collected during monitoring is analyzed and compared with previous studies to assess changes in populations. In case significant negative impacts are identified, mitigation measures must be implemented, such as adopting specific management techniques, specimen relocation, preservation of critical habitats, or environmental compensation.
The Biotic Environment sector of CLAM has already carried out and continues to carry out several Threatened Fauna Monitoring Programs. Among them, we can highlight the capture and telemetry monitoring of individuals of Puma concolor (cougar) Chrysocyon brachyurus (maned wolf) and Spizaetus tyrannus (black hawk-eagle) in long-term monitoring programs. In another program, for the primate species Alouatta guariba clamitans (red-handed howler monkey), conducting interviews with local residents constituted a fundamental approach for surveying the distribution of wild species, in addition to active search methods and playback systemsThe data obtained in these programs can also contribute to the National Action Plan (PAN) for the conservation of species, such as the monitoring of Hydromedusa maximiliani (snake-necked turtle), an endemic chelonian of the Atlantic Forest, which contributes to the PAN for the Conservation of Endangered Reptiles and Amphibians in the Espinhaço Range.
All these activities are carried out by specialized teams, which may include biologists, veterinarians, and other trained professionals. Threatened fauna monitoring is an ongoing activity that must be conducted over time to ensure the effectiveness of implemented mitigation measures and to assess the evolution of threatened species populations in the study area.
