IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Hoogesteijn, R.; Hoogesteijn, A.; Mondolfi, E. | |
| Jaguar predation vs. conservation: cattle mortality by felines on three ranches in the Venezuelan Llanos | |
| 1991 Conference Proceeding | |
The most important Jaguar prey species are given for the Llanos area of Venezuela, and also the results of prey studies and feces analyses elsewhere. In tree studies made in seasonally flooded savanna with access to domestic livestock, cattle constituted 35, 48 and 56% of total prey found killed, or consumed. Causes predisposing Jaguars to prey on cattle are deforestation (loss of habitat), persecution of the Jaguar and poaching of its wild prey, and rudimentary herd management. In two studies, 75% and 53% of Jaguars preying on cattle possessed man-inflicted wounds diminishing the cat's ability to hunt normally. Physical and ecological features are described for three well-managed cattle ranches on seasonally flooded savanna. Mortality and loss of calves resulting from predation by felines on three ranches are compared with other causes. On Ranch 1 calf mortality increased as a result of conservation of Jaguars and other fauna. However predation rates considerably less than other causes of pre- and post-natal calf mortality, accounting for 6% of all calf losses or deaths. On Ranch 2 in an area of greater agricultural development and poaching, feline predation was 30% of total calf losses or deaths. Predation was less significant on Ranch 3. Counter-measures to diminish predation are noted, including fencing areas of gallery forest to restrict access by cattle, pasturing pregnant cows or cows with small calves in open fields or savanna away from forested areas, and controlling the poaching of Jaguars and their wild prey species. Finally, translocation and sport hunting, with relation to Jaguar, were found to be unsatisfactory methods for controlling predation problems. |
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