Proceedings of the fifth mountain lion workshop: 27

58 PROCEEDINGS OF THE FIFTH MOUNTAIN LION WORKSHOP
Figure 7. Comparison of Swine losses between farms (in
% of US$) to mountain lion predation and to other factors.
Thirteen of fourteen farms (93%) within mountain
lion habitat were above 800 meters. One was at 650 meters,
but consisted of very rocky and irregular terrain, with steep
hills and extensive native and planted forests.
DISCUSSION
Most farms within mountain lion range do not have
problems with mountain lion attacks on cattle. The felid
prefers more vulnerable prey, like sheep and goats. Mountain
lions can take large prey when necessary, Hornocker (1970)
reports that in Idaho elk (Cervus canadensis) averaging 380 lb
were preyed upon more intensively than mule deer
(Odocoileus hemionus) which averaged 140 lb., due to the
declivity of the terrain.
Hoogesteijn et al. (1992) reported mountain lions
were responsible for losses of calves up to a few months old,
while losses of calves about 2 years old were attributed to
jaguars. This may be due to the smaller size of mountain lions
in the tropics. In our study, farms that loose cattle suffer
losses of newborn and 2 year old calves. We converted
Hoogesteijn et al.'s (1992) data and compared it with our data.
Instead of considering percent loss by age, we considered one
age stock. Hoogesteijn et al. (1992) studied cattle losses at
three farms, the first averaged 0.4% lost in 4 years, the second
averaged 1.5% lost in 3 years, and third lost 0.13% of its cattle
annually (Table 3). The third farm did not keep calves near
forested areas. Farms in Santa Catarina are usually fenced
with barbed wire, but frequently forested patches are included
in the fenced area where animals often browse. Considering
only the farms that actually lost cattle, our results show a
0.38% average among 5 samples (Table 4).
The Cerro Azul farm in Dr. Pedrinho County lost
Losses in % of US$ 1994
100
10
1
0.29
2.28
Cattle
n-10
58.97
Goat
n=2
24.37
2.51
Sheep
n=10
Livestock
4.82
7.23
Swine
n=5
Lion
Other
Figure 8. Total losses (in % of US$) to mountain lions
compared to losses due to other factors, in 1994.
3 head in 3 different attacks, and 5 more unsuccessful attacks
resulted in 1 calf with a nose perforation. The calves were a
few months old. The attack locations were in pin (Pinus
ellioti) forest some distance from the house, which may
facilitate the mountain lion's approach. According to the
keeper, collared peccaries (Tayassu tajacu) and deer
(Mazama spp.) are relatively abundant, and mountain lion
tracks are seen following collared peccaries. Although wild
prey seemed available, mountain lion attacks on the farm
cattle were intense. Another farm, Mineiros, also had cattle
in a vulnerable position. The farm is surrounded by a cliff
100 meters higher than the farm ground, and cattle grazed in
a field with scattered bush forest. In this case, the calve were
about 2 years old. The farm also had the highest sheep and
goat losses (in percentage of its stock) to mountain lions and
swine to other causes. The Cabanha Sto. Cristo farm lost 3
young calves to mountain lions. The area is close to the
Pelotinhas River and surrounded by cliffs and forest. The
area is rich with wild prey such as capybara (Hidrochaeris
hidrochaeris), paca Agouti paca), agouti (Dasyprocta
azarae), deer and armadillo (Dasypus spp.). The Saulo Yung
farm at Paraiso de Serra had a 2 year old calf loss after
removing sheep from the farm. The farm is surrounded by
cliffs.
Sheep and goat loses were high on all farms. There
are three exceptions: at Sitio Ruck where goat losses were
high (35.48% of 62 head) but there were sheep losses. This
may be due to the small herd number (6). The farmer had a
larger sheep herd, but has sold most of it because, he
reported, they were more vulnerable to mountain lion attacks.
Other exceptions are Dona Olindina with 25 sheep with no
losses, Potreiro Velho with 2.94% sheep losses (1 of 34
head), although both contain good mountain lion habitat with
extensive vegetation and cliffs. These farms keep livestock
penned at night beside the main house, and had