ABSTRACT

As an apex predator, pumas (Puma concolor) frequently enter into conflict with humans because of predation on livestock. We analyzed the association between puma predation and human tolerance in six agroecosystems of the Argentine Dry Chaco, a global deforestation hotspot. Specifically, we addressed attitudes and behaviors of local social actors toward pumas, their association to reported livestock predation, and the incidence of livestock management and puma abundance on predation on livestock. Puma predation on livestock was considered an important cause of livestock loss. Attitudes toward pumas were negative, but were not strongly associated with predation. However, retaliatory hunting was more common among respondents who experienced livestock predation. Breeding goats and sheep and the lack of corrals increased livestock predation probability, which decreased with low puma abundance. Tolerance toward pumas is low in agroecosystems of this region, and further qualitative studies should address its likely hidden causes.

摘要

作为顶级捕食者，美洲狮 ( Puma concolor) 由于捕食牲畜，经常与人类发生冲突。我们分析了全球森林砍伐热点阿根廷干查科的六个农业生态系统中美洲狮捕食与人类耐受性之间的关联。具体来说，我们讨论了当地社会参与者对美洲狮的态度和行为、他们与报告的牲畜捕食的关联，以及牲畜管理和美洲狮数量对牲畜捕食的发生率。美洲狮捕食牲畜被认为是牲畜损失的一个重要原因。对美洲狮的态度是消极的，但与捕食没有密切关联。然而，在经历过牲畜捕食的受访者中，报复性狩猎更为常见。饲养山羊和绵羊以及畜栏的缺乏增加了牲畜捕食的概率，而美洲狮丰度低则降低。