The vicuña has been one of the few success stories of wildlife conservation. Increasing populations are, however, raising new challenges for effective management as emphasis shifts from protection to allow sustainable use. Internationally, policy development has followed the community-based conservation paradigm, which holds that economic benefits from wildlife management practices bring greater commitment on the part of local communities to protect both the species and its habitat. In this book we argue that sustainability is not guaranteed by sustainable use, and that both education and regulation are required to prevent the proliferation of unsustainable practices. Community wildlife management does not replace conservation, but it does fundamentally alter the nature of the task that conservation agencies face.

"The vicuña is one of the few success stories of wildlife conservation. The focus is now shifting from protection to sustainable use. Internationally, policy development has followed the community-based conservation paradigm, which holds that economic benefits from wildlife management practices bring greater commitment on the part of local communities to protect both the species and its habitat. This book takes the position that sustainability is not guaranteed by sustainable use, and that both education and regulation are required to prevent the proliferation of unsustainable practices.The research from the countries presented in this book demonstrate the animal welfare, ecological, economic, social, and conservation trade-offs, which exist between different management systems. This links economics, social and conservation research to provide a unique insight into the viability of community-based wildlife management of a species which until recently was viewed simply as a conservation priority."

The Philosophy of Sustainable Wildlife Use.- The Historical Relationship Between People and the Vicuña.- The Vicuña in the Andean Altiplano.- Sociality, Foraging and Habitat Use by Vicuña.- Animal Welfare and the Sustainable Use of the Vicuña.- International Policies and National Legislation Concerning Vicuña Conservation and Exploitation.- Local Participation in Vicuña Management.- Environmental Education as a Tool in the Sustainable Management of Vicuña in the Altiplano of South America.- Lessons for the Future of Sustainable Use of Vicuña.