Puma density, habitat use, and activity patterns across a mosaic landscape of ranches, game reserves, and a protected area in central Argentina

Abstract

Human-carnivore conflict can lead to serious reduction and even extirpation of top predators when management policies are inadequate or are absent. This is especially true in central Argentina where a few small protected areas are interspersed within a mosaic of ranches and game reserves. We used camera-trapping surveys and spatial mark–resight models, to reanalyze, estimate, and compare puma (Puma concolor) densities among these three different land-use types. We also used an occupancy modeling framework to determine drivers of puma habitat use. We used kernel density estimation to determine if land use altered puma daily activity patterns across sites. Puma density estimates (D ± SE) in cattle ranches and one game reserve were lower (1.00 ±0.36 and 1.38 ±0.91 pumas per 100 km2, respectively) than in the protected area (4.90 ±1.51 pumas per 100 km2)but CIs were wide. Puma detection was the lowest in the game reserve. Puma habitat use increased strongly with vegetation cover and probability of detection was negatively influenced by cattle encounter rates. Pumas were mostly nocturnal with some crepuscular activity in ranches and game reserve, and cathemeral in the protected area. Our results suggest that pumas likely seek refuge in protected areas and relax timing of activity there, information relevant to management plans designed to prevent puma decline or extirpation in central Argentina.