Participatory networks for large-scale monitoring of large carnivores: pumas and jaguars of the Upper Parana Atlantic Forest

CARLOS D. DE ANGELO; AGUSTÍN PAVIOLO; DANIELA RODE; LAURY CULLEN; DENIS SANA; KAUE ABREU; MARINA XAVIER DA SILVA; ANNE-SOPHIE BERTRAND; TAIANA HAAG; FERNANDO LIMA; ALCIDES RICIERI RINALDI; SIXTO FERNANDEZ; FREDY RAMIREZ; MYRIAM VELASQUEZ; CRISTIAN CORIO; ESTEBAN HASSON; MARIO DI BITETTI

ORYX

CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS

Lugar: Cambridge; Año: 2011 vol. 45 p. 534 - 545

0030-6053

Most large carnivores are secretive and threatened, and these characteristics pose problems for research on, and monitoring of, these species across extensive areas.  Participatory monitoring, however, can be a useful tool for obtaining long-term data across large areas. Pumas Puma concolor and jaguars Panthera onca are the largest predators in the threatened Upper Parana´ Atlantic Forest. To survey the presence of these two species we established a participatory network of volunteers and a partnership with researchers in the three countries that share the Upper Parana´ Atlantic Forest (Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay). We trained participants in simple methods of collecting faeces and track imprints of large felids. Between 2002 and 2008 .100 volunteers helped with monitoring, obtaining 1,633 records identified as pumas or jaguars across c. 92,890 km2.We confirmed jaguar presence in a large section of theMisionesGreen Corridor in Argentina and in the largest protected areas of Brazil and Paraguay. Pumas exhibited a wider distribution, being recorded throughout Misiones province in Argentina and in some areas of Brazil and Paraguay where jaguars were not detected. Both species, and especially jaguars, were detected mainly in the few remaining medium and large forest fragments in this Forest. Although these carnivores are often in conflict with local people, their charisma and cultural significancemakes themflagship species that motivated the participation of volunteers and institutions. Participatory monitoring allowed coverage of a vast area at relatively lowcostwhilst enhancing collaborativemanagement policies among people and institutions from three countries.Puma concolor and jaguars Panthera onca are the largest predators in the threatened Upper Parana´ Atlantic Forest. To survey the presence of these two species we established a participatory network of volunteers and a partnership with researchers in the three countries that share the Upper Parana´ Atlantic Forest (Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay). We trained participants in simple methods of collecting faeces and track imprints of large felids. Between 2002 and 2008 .100 volunteers helped with monitoring, obtaining 1,633 records identified as pumas or jaguars across c. 92,890 km2.We confirmed jaguar presence in a large section of theMisionesGreen Corridor in Argentina and in the largest protected areas of Brazil and Paraguay. Pumas exhibited a wider distribution, being recorded throughout Misiones province in Argentina and in some areas of Brazil and Paraguay where jaguars were not detected. Both species, and especially jaguars, were detected mainly in the few remaining medium and large forest fragments in this Forest. Although these carnivores are often in conflict with local people, their charisma and cultural significancemakes themflagship species that motivated the participation of volunteers and institutions. Participatory monitoring allowed coverage of a vast area at relatively lowcostwhilst enhancing collaborativemanagement policies among people and institutions from three countries.