RZSS Giant Armadillo Blog: Citizen science in the Cerrado

12/06/2016 in Conservation

Whilst progress has been challenging in the Pantanal due to extensive flooding, we have made good progress in the Cerrado giant armadillo work. In total six expeditions have been conducted so far in 2016. As the Cerrado is at a higher altitude than the Pantanal, rain water runs off into streams and is usually less of an issue, although the truck did get stuck a few times and some areas were inaccessible.

The main goal of our giant armadillo work in the Cerrado is to map the distribution of the remaining individuals in the region. To do this we have randomly sampled municipalities in which 15-20 watersheds (i.e. areas of land that contains streams and rivers that all drain into a larger body of water) with varying amounts of native vegetation are investigated for signs of giant armadillos.

We also conduct interviews and have a citizen science programme where people are invited to contribute any information on sightings of giant armadillos. Posters are placed in strategic places throughout the municipality which, in addition to raising awareness about the species, have helped us gather valuable data on the species.

Bruna Oliveira (project biologist) and a volunteer ran the first expedition covering the municipality of Banderantes where she visited multiple watersheds. The human presence here is primarily composed of ranches. Giant armadillo evidence was located and in this particular area giant armadillos were only present in lowlands. There was no armadillo evidence found in the higher areas where the soil is more compact and rocky.

Bruna also worked in the Bela Vista municipality. This area has become increasingly converted into large cash crop plantations such as sugar cane, soy and corn. Our findings were noticeably different. No evidence of giant armadillos was found and no calls were received from the Citizen Science posters. Fewer people were aware of the species although some of the more elderly people interviewed seem to remember giant armadillos had existed here.

Bruna then headed up North to the Santa Rita municipality were eucalyptus plantations are transforming the landscape. Local people were generally found to be more aware of giant armadillos, and according to the citizen science posters giant armadillos are present. Bruna also found giant armadillo evidence in several areas. Finally, Bruna visted Corguinho with another volunteer and also confirmed presence and absence of the species in several localities.

Gabriel also ran an expedition straight after the Pantanal with Emilien. The area he visited had lots of natural vegetation but due to the rocky nature of the soil and mountainous characteristics of the area no evidence was located. Interviews confirmed giant armadillos are not present anymore although it seems that they could have been present about 30 years ago. There is actually a mountain that was named after giant armadillos as an individual was sighted there 30 years ago.

Bruna and I visited the Southern municipality of Porto Murtinho, returning just a few days ago. This area is very interesting as a large part of it is has a protected area for three indigenous ethic groups. Overall the area is relatively well preserved and native vegetation still covers large areas. Unfortunately, however, no giant armadillo evidence was located.

We conducted over 60 interviews and no one had seen a giant armadillo in the area. However, on the edge of the municipality – which is closer to the Pantanal – it does appear that giant armadillos were present some 30-40 years ago. In this area many people did not know of the species.

There are always many funny stories to be shared from the interviews, including one that happened in the northern part of the state where giant armadillos can still be found. Even when present the species is incredibly rare. Two ranch workers saw a giant armadillo and were shocked when they saw it and thought no one would believe them when they told them what they had seen. So the guys decided to catch it and bring it back to the ranch!

Both men struggled with the animal and put in the trunk of their car. Now if you have been following my updates you can easily guess what happened. Think of Houdini or Zezinho and what they did to the holding crate. That’s right – in a matter of seconds, the giant armadillo destroyed the trunk and appeared in the back seat of the car where it was immediately released. The whole back of the car was destroyed. No one needed to exaggerate in that story as I could easily imagine the damage done!

All the best from Brazil!

Arnaud