IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Bueno-Cabrera, A.; Laundr‚, J.W.; Hern ndez, L.; Contreras-Hern ndez, A. | |
| Cougar (_Puma concolor_) Impacts on Livestock Ranches in the Santa Elena Canyon, Chihuahua, Mexico | |
| 2007 Conference Proceeding | |
Few studies try to clarify the different sources of livestock loses to large felids. This is critical information needed to evaluate the effect of a predator. We investigated livestock losses by cougars in the Santa Elena Canyon, a northern Mexican protected area were ranchers reported cougar predation claims. Our objectives were to determine the impact of cougars on the livestock industry and to identify the factors associated with livestock kills. We used interviews with rancher owners to document the number of livestock lost/yr for 2001-2003. We identified three groups of livestock loses: by cougars, 8% of total economic loss, by other animals (25%) and by others factors (67%). We found a positive relationship between cougar predation on livestock and the amount of mountain terrain, forest vegetation and relative abundance of cougar in each ranch. Apparently, there is no relationship between livestock husbandry and predation rate, although we discuss the role of other variables. We concluded that current cougar impact on livestock ranches in the Santa Elena Canyon is very low. However, we recognize the need to improve livestock husbandry in the area in order to avoid livestock mortality and further reduce the impact of cougars on this human activity. |
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