Abstract Sheep depredation by puma (Puma concolor) is a socio-environmental problem that has intensified in recent decades in Patagonia. A bounty system to control this carnivore is implemented in Chubut province (central Patagonia), whereas alternative measures to mitigate the conflict are still in progress. A common recommendation to limit livestock depredation by large carnivores is to maintain suitable levels of wild prey populations. To evaluate the applicability of this recommendation, we examined the puma diet in ranches of the northeastern of Chubut. We analyzed the stomach and intestinal contents of 21 pumas hunted under provincial legislation. The guanaco (Lama guanicoe) represented around 75% of the total biomass consumed. Sheep was the second prey in relevance, but their contribution to the diet was four times lower than the guanaco. Our results emphasize the role of this large native ungulate as main prey and its potential relevance as a buffer against predation on sheep. This study provides information that could be useful for preventive management of livestock predation in Patagonia.

中文翻译：

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巴塔哥尼亚中部（阿根廷）绵羊牧场的美洲狮（Puma concolor）饮食

摘要 美洲狮（Puma concolor）对绵羊的掠夺是巴塔哥尼亚近几十年来愈演愈烈的社会环境问题。丘布特省（巴塔哥尼亚中部）实施了控制这种食肉动物的赏金制度，而缓解冲突的替代措施仍在进行中。限制大型食肉动物掠夺牲畜的一个常见建议是保持适当的野生猎物种群水平。为了评估此建议的适用性，我们检查了丘布特东北部牧场的美洲狮饮食。我们分析了根据省级立法捕猎的 21 只美洲狮的胃和肠内容物。原驼（Lama guanicoe）约占消耗的总生物质的 75%。绵羊是相关的第二个猎物，但它们对饮食的贡献比原驼低四倍。我们的研究结果强调了这种大型本地有蹄类动物作为主要猎物的作用及其作为防止捕食绵羊的缓冲的潜在相关性。这项研究提供的信息可能有助于巴塔哥尼亚牲畜捕食的预防管理。