Estimating Presence of Maned Wolf in Northern Argentina From Local Knowledge.

SALVATORI V; SOLER LUCIA; CÁCERES, CESAR. J.; PEREZ, PASCUAL.; GORI, M.; FLEITA, ABEL A.; CUELLO, PABLO A.

Iquitos- Perú

Congreso; VI Congreso Internacional sobre Manejo de Fauna Silvestre en la Amazonia y Latinoamérica; 2004

Abstract The distribution of Maned wolf includes areas from southern Brazil to Northern Argentina. In this study, a survey was carried out in the provinces of Corrientes and Chaco, in Northern Argentina, in order to assess the actual distribution of the species and the attitudes of local people towards its. The surveyed area extended 200,000 km 2 ca. and 42.5% of the interviewees (N total = 398) reported to have sighted the maned wolf within the last year. Locations where presence was detected were described to be flooded grasslands in 66.1% of the cases, suggesting maned wolf actively prefers such type of environments. Interviews revealed that maned wolf are not considered a threat for domestic animals (74.5% of cases reported no damage suffered). 43% of the interviewees stated that the presence of maned wolf may be positive fo r the environment, but a similar proportion also (42%) though the species has no impact on it. These preliminary results highlight a general positive attitude even when not having ever seen the animal, suggesting the conservation of the species might be possible in coexistence with local people.