Proceedings of the fifth mountain lion workshop: 27
Proceedings of the fifth mountain lion workshop: 27
Proceedings of the fifth mountain lion workshop: 27
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54 PROCEEDINGS OF THE FIFTH MOUNTAIN LION WORKSHOP<br />
EFFECTS AND PATTERNS OF MOUNTAIN LION PREDATION OF<br />
LIVESTOCK ON SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZED PROPERTIES<br />
IN SANTA CATARINA, BRAZIL<br />
Marcelo Mazzolli. Projecto Puma, Parque Ecológico do Córrego Grande, R. João Pinho Duarte Silva, 535, 88037-000<br />
Florianópolis - SC - Brasil<br />
C. Bartlet-Ryan. Projecto Puma, Parque Ecológico do Córrego Grande, R. João Pinho Duarte Silva, 535, 88037-000<br />
Florianópolis - SC - Brasil<br />
M. Graipel. Projecto Puma, Parque Ecológico do Córrego Grande, R. João Pinho Duarte Silva, 535, 88037-000 Florianópolis -<br />
SC - Brasil<br />
Keywords: Brazil, Livestock, Mountain Lion, Predation, Puma concolor<br />
Abstract The effects <strong>of</strong> <strong>mountain</strong> <strong>lion</strong> predation on livestock from 15 different farms were analyzed. Surveys were done from<br />
1993 through 1995. The effects <strong>of</strong> predation are weighed against losses to o<strong>the</strong>r factors. The patterns <strong>of</strong> predation were recorded<br />
when possible, including period <strong>of</strong> day, frequency during <strong>the</strong> year, climate and livestock management.<br />
Livestock losses to <strong>mountain</strong> <strong>lion</strong> predation is<br />
probably <strong>the</strong> greatest source <strong>of</strong> conflict between humans and<br />
this felid. According to Currier (1983) it is likely that<br />
persecution by humans is <strong>the</strong> main cause <strong>of</strong> <strong>mountain</strong> <strong>lion</strong><br />
mortality. Studies <strong>of</strong> predator-livestock interactions should<br />
ultimately furnish information to diminish livestock losses and<br />
<strong>mountain</strong> <strong>lion</strong> hunting. This information is especially<br />
important in areas where <strong>the</strong>se predators are found in low<br />
numbers and <strong>the</strong>re is interest in protecting <strong>the</strong>ir populations<br />
and avoid conflicts with man.<br />
Jaguars (Pan<strong>the</strong>ra onca) are nearly extirpated from<br />
<strong>the</strong> study area, and maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus)<br />
are rare and geographically restricted to few locations, making<br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>mountain</strong> <strong>lion</strong> <strong>the</strong> primary predator responsible for attacks<br />
on livestock.<br />
STUDY AREA<br />
The study area lies westward <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>mountain</strong>ous<br />
areas <strong>of</strong> Serra Geral, State <strong>of</strong> Santa Catarina, Brazil, and<br />
includes <strong>the</strong> counties <strong>of</strong> Lages, Bom Retiro and Rancho<br />
Queimado. The Serra Geral is part <strong>of</strong> a plateau formation<br />
extending from <strong>the</strong> south to northwest Brazil, formed through<br />
a series <strong>of</strong> basaltic lava spills. It is characterized by steep<br />
cliffs covered with dense Ombr<strong>of</strong>ilous Forest (Atlantic<br />
Forests) in sou<strong>the</strong>rn Brazil up to 800 meters. Between 800-<br />
1,890 meters <strong>the</strong> vegetation changes to cloud forest, a pioneer<br />
association within <strong>the</strong> Mixed Ombr<strong>of</strong>ilous Forest (Araucaria<br />
Pine Forest). Extensive natural fields (Steppe) are found<br />
above and westward <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> cliffs, with patches <strong>of</strong> cloud forest.<br />
Most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>Araucaria Forest has given way to cloud forest and<br />
fields, as a consequence <strong>of</strong> expanding livestock enterprises.<br />
Also within <strong>the</strong> study area are Dr. Pedrinho and<br />
Itaiópolis counties, within <strong>the</strong> domains <strong>of</strong> both Atlantic and<br />
Araucaria Forest (Fig. 1 and 2).<br />
METHODS<br />
In 1988 <strong>the</strong> authors began responding to complaints<br />
from farmers who reported livestock losses to <strong>mountain</strong> <strong>lion</strong>s.<br />
The complaints were usually made to <strong>the</strong> Brazilian Institution<br />
<strong>of</strong> Environment (IBAMA), which redirected calls to <strong>the</strong> staff.<br />
Some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> resulting data on <strong>mountain</strong> <strong>lion</strong>s have been<br />
published in Mazzolli (1993), but all information concerning<br />
livestock are summarized here, including data collected in<br />
1994. Most livestock loss information from earlier years<br />
could not be included in some analysis because we lacked a<br />
systematic questionnaire; however, figures 9-13 include<br />
earlier data. Farms also lacked recorded information on<br />
losses, and we found that 2 years back is <strong>the</strong> best we could<br />
expect from farm keeper's memory without too many biases.<br />
When asked before this time frame, <strong>the</strong> keeper usually did not<br />
remember details <strong>of</strong> wea<strong>the</strong>r, time, livestock positioning, and<br />
livestock losses.<br />
Number <strong>of</strong> <strong>lion</strong>s killed were mainly based on skulls<br />
collected from <strong>the</strong> visited farms, and distinguished by sex<br />
based on strong dimorphism (Mazzolli 1992). The skulls were<br />
divided by age according to cementation <strong>of</strong> skull fissures.<br />
Because <strong>the</strong>re is no government refunding for<br />
livestock losses to predators in Brazil, <strong>the</strong> information given<br />
are accurate, as long as keepers would identify livestock losses<br />
to <strong>lion</strong>s. Several questions concerning <strong>mountain</strong> <strong>lion</strong> behavior<br />
were asked (e.g. dragging and burying carcasses, tracks, <strong>lion</strong>