CONICET | Buscador de Institutos y Recursos Humanos

Knowing the factors that may affect the abundance and activity patterns of pumas (Puma concolor) in South American forests, such as logging and poaching may help manage and preserve their populations. Using camera-traps, we conducted 4 surveys in 3 areas with different levels of protection within the biggest continuous fragment of the Upper Parana Atlantic Forest known as the Green Corridor. We used photographs to identify different individuals and the time of the record to describe the activity pattern. Using capture-mark-recapture population models, we estimated the density of pumas for each area. The core area of Iguazú National Park, with low poaching pressure and no logging for more than 60 years, had the highest density of pumas (between 1.55 and 2.89 ind/100km2). Yabotí Biosphere Reserve, an area with the highest poaching and logging pressure, showed the lowest density (between 0.3 and 0.74 ind/100km2). The areas with intermediate level of poaching and logging pressure had densities between 0.66 and 2.19 ind/100km2. Puma activity peaked during the first hours of the morning in the most protected area, but became more crepuscular and nocturnal in areas with less protection. The lower abundance of pumas in the more degraded areas may be related to lower prey abundance. Also, the change in puma activity patterns among areas with different poaching pressures may be a direct response to poaching or to changes in the availability and activity patterns of primary prey. We estimated the population size to be between 150 and 400 adult pumas in the Green Corridor and neighboring areas. According to our results, conservation efforts should focus on decreasing poaching and logging pressures within protected areas in order to benefit the population of pumas and other endangered species in the Atlantic Forest.

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