Relationship between rural depopulation and puma-human conflict in the high Andes of Chile

摘要: Rural depopulation has different effects on biodiversity and ecosystems in many regions of the world. For large carnivores such as pumas (Puma concolor) are uncertain. An analysis relationships between patterns rural perceptions risk posed by among Aymara people altiplano region Chile examined perceived risk, well self-reported losses, relation to livestock husbandry, sociodemographic variables (age, household size, residency status), reported self-sufficiency. There was no evidence that elevated or level losses blamed pumas. Indeed, respondents, including older respondents those with smaller households, a decline over preceding five years. These were not associated previous year. increase use guards for livestock, suggesting owners accommodated their absences from herds using guards. Absolute numbers lost increased distance households where grazed gave birth. A cost-effective verification system puma attacks is recommended, further human dimensions research required identify who complained costs benefits wildlife species. Further interventions prevent either retaliation against can then be targeted more precisely.