RESERVA BRASIL - Domestic livestock depredation by pumas (Puma concolor) around of the "Campos do Jordão" State Park

Livestock depredation by cougars (Puma concolor) in the Campos do Jordão State Park’s surroundings, São Paulo state.

In protected zones (e.g. Environmental Protected Areas, Permanent Protection Areas or Parks) is found a representative wildlife assemblage. In some cases, wildlife is in conflict with livestock owners living in the surroundings. Livestock owners from the park’s surrounding do claim frequent cougar attacks on their herds.

The Campos do Jordão State Park (CJSP) is no exception and shelters cougars too. Individuals are actually seen roaming in surrounding farm lands in the São José dos Alpes region, e.g. Céu Estrelado Farm and Lavrinhas Farm, next to CJSP. Occasionally cougars did attack herds on these properties. For year 2006, 12 livestock (sheep) depredation cases were registered in Lavrinhas Farm. Based on these observations, research project aims at responding the following questions:

1) What is the current cougar situation in CJSP and its surroundings?

2) How many and which animals are targeted by cougars in CJSP’s surroundings?

3) What is the spatial distribution of predation sites in fonction of the CJSP landscape?

4) What is the local population opinion about attacks?

We want to assess the predated biomass (kg/km²) and the mean economic cost for an attack. We will also define annual costs for cougar attacks in each rural property. The understanding of predation sites’ spatial patterns, i twill be possible to better the herds management using preventive methods. This way, attack rates should lower in number and frequency fostering a more harmonious coexistence of cougars and farmers.