Puma and livestock in central Patagonia (Argentina): from ranchers’ perceptions to predator management

ABSTRACT

We analyzed surveys from 383 ranchers to determine their perceptions of puma damage in Chubut province (Central Patagonia). Thirty-two percent of respondents had a negative perception, while 65% were neutral. Negative perceptions increased: (a) with the breeding of mixed livestock, (b) with the presence of neighboring inactive, and (c) in small and medium ranches. Our results showed that ranchers use both lethal control and non-lethal methods (regular patrol of the ranch areas, night and seasonal enclosures, guardian dogs) to reduce livestock predation. Lethal control has great acceptance among ranchers, but there is a general lack of evidence about its effectiveness. Considering that our results indicated that the puma may not be the major problem in livestock areas, it is necessary to review the current management policy. We suggest focusing efforts to reduce livestock depredation only on affected ranches, prioritizing the development of non-lethal methods.

KEYWORDS:

• Human-carnivore conflict
• livestock depredation
• human perceptions
• predator’s management
• Puma concolor

Acknowledgment

Marcela Nabte, María Teresa Boschín and Sergio Saba are thanked for their help during the design and implementation of the research survey. Marcela Nabte is also thanked for her participation in the survey implementation in Peninsula Valdes Natural Protected Area. Questionnaire respondents are thanked for their participations in the study. We also thank Jaoquín Bascopé Julio for commenting earlier draft and Laic UNPA for the revision of the English language.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Secretaría de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación Productiva de la Provincia del Chubut under grant for research projects. RLl was supported by a CONICET (Argentina) doctoral fellowship. We acknowledge the logistical support provided by authorities of Courts of Justice for the survey distribution and collection.