LARGE RANCHES AS CONSERVATION TOOLS IN THE VENEZUELAN LLANOS

Traditionally, wildlife conservation efforts have concentrated on the establishment of national parks and reserves. Additional strategies ar e needed if we are to conserve more than a small proportion of tile wo rld's natural habitats and their wildlife. One such strategy is the ap plication of wildlife conservation regulations by private land owners on their properties. This paper uses examples of ranches in the season ally flooded Ilanos of Venezuela to evaluate if effective wildlife con servation can coexist with sustainable wildlife use and cattle product ion. Income estimates derived from cattle production data varied among ranches from $US7.1 to $US26.4 per ha, while estimates of potential a dditional income through regulated capybara Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris and caiman Caiman crocodilus exploitation ranged up to $US7.7 per ha. The economic benefits of capybara and caiman harvests can be realized only by protecting wildlife habitat. Thus, it is suggested that large ranches in the Ilanos can play a major role in wildlife conservation a s well as provide economic gains for those involved. Common denominato rs for success are: personal involvement of owners, effective patrolli ng systems, co-operation of neighbouring ranchers in patrolling activi ties, and ranches being located far from densely populated areas. For tile programmes to succeed in the long term, government and conservati on agencies will need to give Ii-lore support to landowners.