Characterization and mitigation of puma-livestock conflicts in central Argentina

Abstract

The puma Puma concolor is the most widespread top predator and one of the most controversial carnivores in Argentina. It occurs from the high-altitude deserts of the Andes to tropical and subtropical forests, and from the Pampas grasslands to the Patagonian steppe (Nowell and Jackson 1996). The natural prey base of Argentinean puma populations formerly included vicuña (Vicugna vicugna), guanaco (Lama guanicoes), Patagonian huemul (Hippocamelus bisulcus),taruca (Hippocamelus antisensis), Pampas deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus), Marsh deer (Blastocerus dichotomus), rheas (Rhea americana and R. pennata), Plain viscachas (Lagostomus maximus), Mountain viscachas (Lagidium viscacia), Patagonian hare (Dolichotis patagonum), and capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris). In the southernmost part of the country large native prey still comprise the bulk of puma diets (Zanón et al. 2012); however, during the last two centuries, hunting of wild prey and conversion of natural habitat into ranches and farms increased conflicts with humans and predation on livestock (Novaro et al. 2000, Walker and Novaro 2010).