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Jaguar conservation issues presented at conference in Brazil Annual Meeting of the Society for Conservation Biology July 24, 2005 Below is are abstracts of several jaguar conservation papers submitted for the conference. All descriptions are excepts from the official "Book of Abstracts" from the meeting. More abstracts. Paviolo, Agustín; De Angelo, Carlos; DI BITETTI, MARIO. CONICET; Programa NEA, Laboratorio de Investigaciones Ecológicas de las Yungas (LIEY), Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Av. Córdoba 464, N3370COQ Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, Argentina, dibitetti((AT))yahoo.com.ar. Recent studies suggest that the only portion of the Atlantic Forests of South America that could maintain a viable population of jaguars in the long term (>100 individuals) is the Green Corridor of Misiones, Argentina, and nearby areas of Brazil. To assess the status of this jaguar population we are collecting evidence of its presence and using camera traps to estimate absolute densities. Using program CAPTURE we estimated a mean (± SE) adult population density of 0.66±0.35 inds/100 km2 for Iguazú National Park (N=4 individuals, 1599 trap-nights, 39 sampling stations, area sampled=604.67 km2). At another site (Urugua-í Provincial Park) we captured only one individual during 1428 trap-nights (34 stations, area sampled=246,8 km2). Extrapolating these numbers to areas where jaguars are still present (94,000 km2) we estimated a total population of less than 100 adult individuals for the Green Corridor. This jaguar population has suffered a dramatic decline in the last ten years: density estimates for this population in the early 1990s are 5-9 times higher. This decline is coincident with a reduction in the abundance of peccaries (their most important prey in the area) and with an increase in the abundance of pumas (Puma concolor) CURRENT JAGUAR AND PUMA DISTRIBUTION IN CONSERVATION UNITS OF THE CERRADO AND PANTANAL. Silveira, Leandro; Jácomo, Anah T. A.; Moreira, Renato A.; Kashivakura, Cyntia K.; Ferro, Claudia; Furtado, Mariana M.; TÔRRES, NATÁLIA M. Jaguar Conservation Fund, Caixa Posta Mineiros, GO, 75.830-000, Brazil, jaguar((AT))jaguar.org.br; Oreádes Núcleo de Geoprocessamento, Rua Nego Amâncio, Mineiros, GO, Brazil. The different forms of human use in the Cerrado and Pantanal biomes are reflected in distinct degrees of threat to the jaguars (Panthera onca) and pumas (Puma concolor). This study made a diagnosis of the conservation status of both species in the Conservation Units of these Biomes, using direct data, interviews and literature. A total of 37 Conservation Units greater than 10,000 hectares are distributed in the Cerrado, and of these, 49% protect jaguars and 78% protect puma. In the Pantanal, all of the seven Conservation Units larger than 10,000 hectares protect both species, with the jaguar being found in lower humid and forested areas, and the puma found in higher dry areas. No Conservation Unit, in the Cerrado and Pantanal, comprise large enough areas to sustain resident genetically viable populations of jaguars and pumas in a long term perspective. Therefore, new conservation strategies for the Conservation Units System by the Brazilian government are necessary, involving the surrounding areas and the natural connections between these Units, extrapolating their actions to a regional ecosystem scale in a metapopulation design RECORD OF JAGUAR AND PUMA IN THE STATE OF MINAS GERAIS, BRAZIL OVER A 10 YEAR PERIOD. SILVA, JUNIO A. S.; Oliveira, Leonardo; Viana, Leonardo R. Núcleo de Fauna Silvestre - Divisão de Uso e Conservação dos Recursos Naturais, IBAMA/MG, Av. Contorno, 8121, Cidade Jardim, 30110-120 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil, junio. silva((AT))ibama.gov.br (JASS). Museu de Ciências Naturais da PUC-Minas, Rua Dom José Gaspar 500, Coração Eucarístico, 30535-610. Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. (LO). Laboratório de Mastozoologia e Manejo de Fauna, DBG, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 30161-970, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. (LRV). One barrier to mammal conservation is that there still exist many gaps in the geographical distribution of several species. Large felids, as top predators, play an important role in the structuring of ecological communities. Yet, due to their secretive nature, assessing the geographical distribution of these large predators is dif- ficult. One initial way to arrive at these distribution patterns is to compile a list of recorded occurrences within an area. In this study we compiled records for jaguar (Panthera onca) and puma (Puma concolor) occurrences within the state of Minas Gerais. Records were comprised of predation accounts on domestic animals as well as other witnessed accounts over a 10 year period (1992-2002). In total we registered 88 occurrences of both P. onca and P. concolor (31 and 57, respectively), throughout the state. These results are extremely important because they provide needed data on the geographical distribution of two important predators in the state. Our results show that these occurrences happened mainly in highly fragmented areas, which suggests the capability of these two species to persist in such a highly fragmented landscape. Also this data will, undoubtedly, aid in future cat research and conservation within the state OCELOT (Leopardus pardalis) DENSITY AND HOME RANGE USING REMOTE CAMERAS AND RADIO TELEMETRY IN BELIZE, CENTRAL AMERICA. DILLON, ADAM; Kelly, Marcella J. Virginia Tech University, College of Natural Resources, Cheatham Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061 USA, (adillon((AT))vt.edu). From the 1960s to the 1980s, ocelots were heavily hunted for their fur and their numbers were in serious decline. Although hunting regulations have increased and hunting pressure has declined, there is still little known about ocelot populations, especially in Central America. This study used camera trapping and radio telemetry to estimate ocelot density and home range in Belize. Five camera-trapping grids, with various camera spacings, were established in the same area over three years in broadleaf jungle habitat. Increasing camera spacing resulted in decreasing density estimates. Average ocelot density across grids was 15-20 ocelots/100 km2. Two camera-trapping grids in the adjacent pine forest habitat yielded an average ocelot density of 1-3 ocelots/100 km2. This dramatic difference demonstrates the importance of suitable habitat for healthy ocelot populations. Radio-telemetry performed on seven ocelots in broadleaf jungle resulted in average home ranges of 23.00 km2 and 14.26 km2 for males and females respectively, and resulted in density estimates of roughly 12 ocelots/100km2. This study highlights the importance of camera spacing in density estimation techniques, compares two density estimates through different yet simultaneous techniques, and provides valuable baseline information for conservation of ocelots in Central America JAGUAR ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION IN THE CALAKMUL BIOSPHERE RESERVE SOUTHERN MEXICO. CHAVEZ, CUAUHTÉMOC; Ceballos, Gerardo; Amín, Miguel; Zarza, Heliot; Manterola, Carlos; Rivera, Antonio. Laboratorio de Ecología y Conservación de Fauna Silvestre, Instituto de Ecología, UNAM, 3er Circ. Ext, junto al Jardín Botánico, Ciudad Universitaria Apdo. Postal 70-275, México, D.F. 04510. cchavez((AT))miranda.ecologia.unam.mx (CC, GC, MA, HZ) Unidos para la Conservación, A, C., Ave. 1° de Mayo No. 249, Col. San Pedro de Los Pinos, México D. F (CM, AR, FZ). The Calakmul biosphere reserve is the largest tropical forest protected area north of Amazonia. We have been studying the ecology of jaguars since 1997 to evaluate its long-term conservation trends. Jaguars have been radio-collared to determine population density, movements, and habitat use. Prey availability and use has been eval uated through censuses and scat analysis. Population density is, on average, one individual per 15 km². Both males and females have overlapping ranges. Population size is around 500 jaguars in the reserve and around 1000 animals in the reserve and adjacent forests. Although jaguars are distributed throughout the region, they do show habitat preferences. There is a large overlap of jaguar´s preferred prey and the species kill by subsistence hunting. We have developed a probabilistic model to evaluate the regional risk of extinction of jaguars related to population size, habitat and prey availability. Our results show that jaguars in this region have high probabilities of long-term survival if present conditions can be maintained. Highest threats are related to habitat destruction, prey depletion, illegal hunting, and diseases FACTORS INFLUENCING LIVESTOCK DEPREDATION BY JAGUARS IN THE SOUTHERN PANTANAL, BRAZIL. CAVALCANTI, SANDRA M. C.; Gese, Eric M. Department of Forest, Range, and Wildlife Resources, Utah State University, Logan, UT, 84322-5230, USA, cavalcanti1((AT)) yahoo.com. USDA, National Wildlife Research Center, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322-5230, USA.ABSTRACTS Universidade de Brasília, Brazil, July 2005 In the southern Pantanal, killing of livestock is the major source of conflict between humans and jaguars, but the extent of these depredations and the impact on local ranchers is poorly understood. Jaguars are killed for depredation control without evidence of which cats are killing livestock. This study investigated interactions between jaguars and cattle, to determine the factors influencing depredation. We collected information on jaguar movements and habitat use, and examined depredation rates and patterns. Kill sites were mapped and correlated with environmental variables. We gathered a dataset of over 400 prey killed by individual cats. For each of these, we collected information on the species, identity of the predator, date and time, predominant vegetation, season of the year, and reproductive status of the predator. Predation patterns were examined to determine if jaguars preferentially prey on particular species or in specific areas. Individual jaguars utilized large home ranges, but their areas overlapped to a great extent. Native to domestic prey ratios varied among individual jaguars, as well as frequency of native prey they killed. Native and domestic prey were killed at different rates during different seasons. Understanding the feeding ecology of jaguars will be important for their long-term conservation JAGUAR/RANCHER CONFLICTS IN THE PANTANAL: DO COMPENSATION PROGRAMS WORK? Silveira, Leandro; Jácomo, Anah T. A.; Ferro, Claudia; Kashivakura, Cyntia K.; Furtado, Mariana M.; TÔRRES, NATÁLIA M. Jaguar Conservation Fund, Caixa Postal 193, Mineiros, GO, 75.830-000, Brazil, jaguar((AT))jaguar.org.br. Attacks by jaguars and pumas on domestic livestock and consequent retaliation by cattle ranchers is an historical problem in the Pantanal. When the conflict between humans/livestock/predators exists, it is necessary to add human intervention in order to reduce losses on both parties. This project intended to diagnose the impact of jaguar and puma predation on the domestic livestock and use a financial compensation program to prevent retaliation upon the predators by ranchers. Eleven ranches in the surroundings of the Rio Negro State Park-MS were partners of this initiative for an 18 month period. A total of 74 predation records associated to jaguars on cattle were confirmed in five properties. Jaguars were responsible for 73% of the registered attacks, of these 98% happened on a single property. In an attempt to involve the local community in the conservation of the species, besides the financial compensation to the ranchers, three social campaigns were conducted for the residents of the participating ranchers, where the farm hands and their families received free medical and dental care. In this study we evaluate the real impact of predation and a compensation program as a potential model to solve or minimize jaguar-rancher conflicts in strategic conservation areas LIVESTOCK DEPREDATION BY CARNIVORES IN BRAZIL: A GOVERNMENTAL PROGRAM PURSUING SOLUTIONS FOR A NATIONAL PROBLEM. DE PAULA, ROGÉRIO C.; Boulhosa, Ricardo L. P. CENAP/IBAMA, Rua João Soares do Amaral, 112, Atibaia, SP, 12.941-600, Brazil, rogerio((AT))procarnivoros.org.br. Brazil is worldwide known as one of the richest countries concerning biodiversity. It is also one of the emerging countries with a high development rate. Likewise several areas around the world, economical development has leading to consequences in wildlife conservation, so that conflicts between wildlife and people throughout the country are common due to the expanding of contact zones between them. The most impacting conflicts are related to predators preying upon livestock. Although pumas and jaguars are the most problematic carnivores that lead to conflicts with humans, of the 26 species of carnivores occurring in Brazil, 17 have been recorded as responsible for livestock depredation. By observing 10 years of data recorded, 87% of the conflicts registered were involving large cats, and only 4% were related to 15 other carnivores species. Additionally, records show that Brazil's central and southeast regions have the highest numbers of con- flicts. Until recently, punctual actions were conducted. Nowadays, new efforts have been made to find new solutions for the HWC throughout Brazil. Solutions such as ranch activities related to wildlife tourism, regional damage control programs, among others, are presenting positive results on balancing livestock losses. Presently, close to 85% of the attacks reported are resolved HUMAN-WILDLIFE CONFLICTS IN A FRAGMENTED TROPICAL FOREST LANDSCAPE: COSTS OF LARGE FELID PREDATION ON LIVESTOCK IN BRAZILIAN AMAZONIA. BOULHOSA, RICARDO L. P.; Michalski, Fernanda; Faria, Alexandre; Peres, Carlos A. Instituto Pró-Carnívoros and CENAP/IBAMA, C.P. 10, Atibaia, SP, 12940- 970, Brazil (RB). Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Conservation, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, United Kingdom (FM, CP). Faculdade de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual do Mato Grosso, Alta Floresta, MT, 78580-000 Brazil (AF), boulhosa((AT))procarnivoros.org.br. Carnivores are particularly vulnerable to local extinction in fragmented landscapes due to their large ranges, low density and persecution by humans. This problem is aggravated along tropical deforestation frontiers where large felids often shift to both small and large livestock prey because of increased proximity to human agriculture. Here we examine the causes and economic costs of livestock depredation by jaguars and pumas in a deforestation frontier in the Brazilian Amazonia. We carried out 86 interviews conducted with landowners and local ranchers within a radius of to 75 km from the town of Alta Floresta, MT. Depredation was concentrated on animals with an average age of 5.5 months (94%). We detected an increase in depredation rates during the wet season (48%). Proximity to forested areas was the strongest variable related to felid attacks (75.8%). Properties far removed from the town centre (35-60 km radius) showed higher predation rates than those nearer the town, where forest remnants are scarce and highly fragmented. The average annual loss per livestock-owning property was US$725.50, or 0.80% of each property's net annual income. These patterns of livestock predation can be explained by a combination of landscape variables and livestock management. LIVESTOCK DEPREDATION BY JAGUAR AND PUMA IN THE PANTANAL REGION OF BRAZIL. AZEVEDO, FERNANDO C. C. Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, College of Natural Resources, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844-1136, USA, azev3517((AT))uidaho.edu. Habitat loss, close proximity to domestic livestock, and direct competition from poachers removing natural prey, may force jaguars and pumas to coexist spatially with domestic animals and consequently use them as prey. In an attempt to study livestock depredation in the Pantanal of Brazil, 11 cats (nine jaguars and two pumas) were monitored during 2003-2004 in three livestock ranches. From January to August 2004, of all carcasses of wild prey found (43), predation by jaguars represented the majority of recorded incidents (86.3%, 19 animals). Capybaras, marsh deer and caiman constituted the wild prey most taken by jaguars. A total of 100 domestic animals were found dead or killed during the period. Of all domestic animals found dead, depredation accounted for only 22.0% (22 animals). The average rate of predation of livestock at the main ranch, San Francisco farm, and in two neighbor farms represented 1.45 ± 1.11% of all livestock. Considering the total number of cattle within San Francisco area at the beginning of 2004 (4.951 heads), predation by jaguars and pumas represented only 0.18% of all cattle. The abundance of wild prey apparently contributed for low depredation of cattle in the area. 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