IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Gonz lez, E.M.; Bou, N.; Cravino, A.; Pereira-Garbero, R. | |
| What we know and what conflicts between humans and felids tell us in Uruguay | |
| 2017 Book Chapter | |
We have made a diagnosis of the interactions between wild felidae and humans in Uruguay and discussed the responses to the conflicts and their consequences. Data collected by the authors in the last three decades and information obtained from scientific literature, press releases, Fauna Department files and personal communications were reviewed and stematized. Seven species of felidae have been recorded in Uruguay, to date: Jaguar (_Panthera onca_), Puma (_Puma concolor_), Jaguarundi (_P. yagouaroundi_), Ocelot (_Leopardus pardalis_), Geoffroy's cat (_L. geoffroyi_), Margay (_L. wiedii_) and Pampa's cat (_L. braccatus_). The conflict identified for jaguars involves mortality of people and livestock, with the consequent persecution and local extinction of the species. The conflict with pumas falls on mortality of livestock (mainly sheep) resulting in reduced puma abundance and distribution due to persecution. Although the ocelot and the jaguarundi have scarce records for the country, human hunting was detected over both species. The current conflicts in Uruguay focus on the three remaining small size species. Predation on chicken coops is the main impact to humans. The threats that affects the felids in Uruguay are hunting for predation control, road kills, the pet trade and habitat modification. In the past, hunting was also carried out for the fur trade. Despite the current regulations, the unawareness, misinformation and low valuation of native fauna by the population and authorities, constitute a fundamental problem. It is important to assess the impact of different conflicts on each species in order to develop action protocols that involve authorities, the population, and generate environmental education programs. |
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