IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library
   

 

View printer friendly
Palmeira, F.B.L.; Crawshaw Jr., P.G.; Haddad, C.M.; Ferraz, K.M.P.M.B.; Verdade, L.M.
Cattle depredation by puma (_Puma concolor_) and jaguar (_Panthera onca_) in central-western Brazil
2008  Conservation Biology (141): 118-125

In this study, data on cattle depredation by puma (_Puma concolor_) and jaguar (_Panthera onca_) were recorded for six years (1998-2003) in a cattle ranch in central-western Brazil. Depredation represented 18.9% of the overall cattle mortality, being predominant on calves. In biomass, kills represented 0.4% (63.8 kg/km2) of the ranch's annual stock. In economic loss, kills represented 0.3% of the cattle stock value. Depredation was mainly associated with cattle's age class and location along with the time of birth of calves. The proportion of pastures next to forest with depredation (n = 33, 48.5%) was not distinguished to the proportion of pastures not bordering forest with depredation (n = 35, 51.5%). However, the proportion of pastures next to forest with depredation represented 54% (n = 33) of the 61 total pastures that were at least partially surrounded by forest patches or riparian forests that comprised eight continuum blocks of forest fragments of different sizes in the ranch and adjacent areas. No kills occurred in the central portion (main house) of the farm, close to the headquarters where the pastures not bordering forest. The distances of the kills in relation to areas of native forest was 1317.48 ñ 941.03 m. In order to reduce depredation, calves should be kept as far as possible from forest areas and concentrated cattle breeding and calving seasons should be encouraged.

PDF files are only accessible to Friends of the Cat Group. Joining Friends of the Cat Group gives you unlimited access and downloads in the Cat SG Library for one year, and allows you to receive our newsletter Cat News (2 regular issues per year plus special issues). More information how to join here

 

(c) IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group ( IUCN - The World Conservation Union)