The reproduction is the first result of the partnership between Itaipu and Klabin

 The cub was born less than one year after the lowland pacas arrived at Klabin Ecological Park

A baby lowland paca (Cuniculus paca) was the first positive result of the exchange of wild animals for reproduction between the Bela Vista Biological Sanctuary (RBV), of Itaipu Binacional, and Klabin Ecological Park (PEK), in Telêmaco Borba, in the central region of the State of Paraná.
 
The exchange took place in April 2024, when Klabin sent a pair of margays (Leopardus wiedii) to RBV and received three lowland pacas (two females and one male) from the Institution. One of the lowland pacas mated with the only male of the species that was in Klabin's herd at the time, giving birth to a baby in early January. The birth was celebrated by both institutions.
 
"The exchange of animals between Itaipu and partner institutions is essential to strengthen species reproduction programs and increase genetic diversity in the region, contributing to the conservation of biodiversity," says Itaipu's zootechnician, Fabiana Stamm.
 
"In addition to expanding technical knowledge and enhancing our gene banks, the reproduction of this animal highlights the importance of conserving endangered species, bringing the population closer to awareness," says the coordinator of Klabin Ecological Park, Paulo Schmidlin.
 
It is not yet possible to determine the sex of the baby lowland paca, as PEK professionals are respecting the time for contact with the animal, still in its early stage of life. The new resident of the Park is being kept in an enclosure with its parents. Over the days, it will be reassessed and, depending on the animal's behavior, it may be placed in another enclosure.
 
According to the Itaipu's zootechnician, lowland pacas are seed dispersers in the forest, while margays help maintain the ecological balance as predators of other smaller species. Margays and lowland pacas are classified, respectively, as endangered and vulnerable species, according to the Paraná Endangered Species List.
 
Exchange
The exchange of rodents for felines is important to restore the population of animals in accordance with the RBV and PEK population plan. Lowland pacas are no longer part of the species sheltered in the Biological Sanctuary so that investments can be made in breeding other species of rodents, such as the agouti (Dasyprocta sp).
 
The couple of margays that went to Foz do Iguaçu joined the five animals (three females and two males) in RBV. Before this exchange with Klabin, Itaipu had sent its last three ocelots (Leopardus pardalis) to Gran Parque Iberá in Argentina, opting to focus its work on the margays. The two animals will join the breeding program of this species by forming new couples.
 
RBV and PEK
With the arrival of the couple of margays, the Bela Vista Biological Sanctuary (RBV) now has 325 animals of 53 species. With an area of 1,780 hectares, the place is a pioneer in the reproduction of several species, having the largest breeding stock in the world of the bird symbol of Paraná, the harpy eagle (Harpia harpyja), in addition to a successful breeding program for jaguars (Panthera onca) and pygmy brocket (Mazama nana). Furthermore, it contributed to the reintroduction in the region of Corrientes, Argentina, of ocelots and bare-faced curassow (Crax fasciolata), among others.
 
At Klabin Ecological Park (PEK), the three lowland pacas make up a group of about 120 individuals from 35 different species. Established in the 1980s, PEK is maintained by Klabin, Brazil’s largest producer and exporter of packaging paper and sustainable paper packaging solutions, to promote the conservation of biodiversity, the maintenance and rehabilitation of wild animals and the preservation of species. The Park spans 9,852 hectares, 91.6% of them covered by native forests, and is also used for environmental education and for scientific research on local flora and fauna.

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