A small protected area facilitates persistence of a large carnivore in a ranching landscape
- Pereira, Javier Adolfo
- Thompson, Jeffrey J.
- Di Bitetti, Mario Santiago
- Fracassi, Natalia Gabriela
- Paviolo, Agustin Javier
- Fameli, Alberto Francisco
- Novaro, Andres Jose
DOIAbstract
Assessments of the role that small (<500 km2) protected areas play in conservation of large carnivores in landscapes where the species are persecuted are scarce. Using camera-trap sampling we estimated puma (Puma concolor) population abundance, site use intensity, and relative abundance of prey in Lihué Calel National Park (320 km2) and two neighboring livestock ranches in central Argentina. We concurrently assessed rancher attitudes towards puma in relation to livestock predation by this carnivore and retaliation by ranchers in the ranching landscape surrounding the protected area. At least 3–8 adult pumas were recorded within the park while no individuals were detected on private ranchland. Site abundance within the park was positively re...
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