Puma density, habitat use and conflict with humans in the Argentine Chaco

Journal for Nature Conservation

Volume 31, June 2016, Pages 9–15

• Verónica A. Quiroga^{a, b, , ,} ,
• Andrew J. Noss^c, ,
• Agustín Paviolo^{a, b,} ,
• Gabriel I. Boaglio^d, ,
• Mario S. Di Bitetti^{a, b, e,}

• ^a Instituto de Biología Subtropical (IBS), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) and Universidad Nacional de Misiones (UNaM), Bertoni 85, Puerto Iguazú, Misiones CP 3370, Argentina
• ^b Asociación Civil Centro de Investigaciones del Bosque Atlántico (CeIBA), Bertoni 85, Puerto Iguazú, Misiones CP 3370, Argentina
• ^c Department of Geography, University of Florida, 1405 NW 38th St., Gainesville, FL, USA
• ^d Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal (IDEA), Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (UNC), Av. Vélez Sarsfield 299, Córdoba Capital, Córdoba CP 5000, Argentina
• ^e Facultad de Ciencias Forestales, UNaM, Bertoni 124, Eldorado, Misiones CP 3380, Argentina

Received 27 September 2015, Revised 22 February 2016, Accepted 23 February 2016, Available online 27 February 2016

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doi:10.1016/j.jnc.2016.02.004

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Abstract

The puma Puma concolor is the most widely distributed felid in the Americas. Although it utilizes human-modified landscapes, its extensive territorial requirements, trophic needs, and real or perceived threats to livestock render the puma susceptible to conflict with humans. Our objectives were to evaluate the population density, habitat use, and puma-human conflict in the Argentine Chaco. We conducted camera-trap surveys and interviews over a three-year period, at three sites with different levels of legal protection and with different ranch outpost and livestock densities: Copo National Park (1204 trap days, 24 stations, 17 interviews, national park, lowest ranch/livestock density), Aborigen Reserve (1993 trap days, 29 stations, 13 interviews, indigenous reserve, medium ranch/livestock density) and El Cantor (2129 trap days, 35 stations, 11 interviews, no protection, highest ranch/livestock density). Puma population density was low (<1 individual/100 km²) and we found no significant differences in puma density across the three sites. Occupancy models show a positive relationship between puma detectability and the distances from vehicle roads. Legal protection status of the área does not positively affect puma density, probably due to the large edge effect, and weak law enforcement capacity at Copo National Park. Low density of pumas at the three sites could result primarily from retaliation killing of pumas by local ranchers in response to predation on goats. Pumas in the Chaco require effectively managed protected areas, regulation of wildlife hunting and livestock management practices to minimize depredation.

Keywords

• Camera-trap;
• Hunting;
• Livestock;
• Occupancy

Corresponding author at:, Instituto de Biología Subtropical (IBS), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) and Universidad Nacional de Misiones (UNaM), ​Bertoni 85, Puerto Iguazú, Misiones CP 3370, Argentina.

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