Human-Puma Conflicts in Three Areas from the Southern Cone of South America: Preliminary Data

Abstract

Of the two large species of felids occurring in the Neotropical Region, the puma Puma concolor is by far the most widespread and common. Nevertheless, its populations are declining in many areas and hunting is one of the most frequent causes of this decrease. This paper presents the preliminary results of an interview-based assessment of human-puma conflicts in three areas of Argentina and Chile located in very different ecoregions.