The Elephant in the room: What can we learn from California regarding the use of sport hunting of pumas (Puma concolor) as a management tool?

摘要: Pumas (Puma concolor) in 10 western states of the U.S. have been managed through use a sport hunt. The rational for this management technique is that puma populations needed to be hunted reduce threats human safety, their livestock, and wild ungulate populations. We evaluated these claims with state California as control, which has prohibited hunting since 1972. tested four hypotheses: 1) Sport reduces density, 2) problematic puma-human encounters, 3) predation on 4) impact numbers. Results indicated: Puma densities did not differ between states, was 3rd lowest per capita incidents. loss sheep significantly lower (t = 5.7, P < 0.001) cattle significantly, from other (P 0.13). 4). Changes annual deer correlated changes (F 95.4, 0.001, R2 0.68) average states. concluded pumas tool produced outcomes sought by wildlife managers may even exacerbate conflicts humans. It suggested agencies re-assess pumas.