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Huemul on the privately owned Estancia Vallé Chacabuco in Chilean Patagonia have been negatively affected by management associated with the conversion of the property into the future Patagonia National Park. Specifically, the removal of abundant livestock together with abrupt cessation of predator control has resulted in increased predation rates of both fawns and adult huemul. High predation rates now threaten the viability of this population of huemul. We outline a framework for implementing necessary management to reduce predation and simultaneously call for future research to further our understanding of the causes underlying the decline of huemul. Our management recommendations include the targeted removal of pumas known to selectively prey upon huemul and also the reduction of culpeo foxes. Given the reluctance of the landowners to implement such management, we call for CONAF to take over huemul management in the future Patagonia National Park to avoid further population declines and subsequent local extinction.

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