Livestock–Carnivore Coexistence: Moving beyond Preventive Killing

Abstract

Livestock predation is a global problem and constitutes the main source of conflict between large carnivores and human interests. In Latin America, both jaguar and puma are known to prey on livestock, yet studies in Mesoamerica have been scattered and few have been carried out in Honduras. We interviewed ranchers in a biosphere reserve where jaguars and pumas are present. Local indigenous communities reported livestock predation (average annual loss of 7% from 2010–2019), with preventive and retaliatory killing as their main actions against predation by the jaguar and puma. Other sources of cattle loss included diseases and theft. The extensive management system (free grazing) lets cattle access forests where predators are more common. We found that livestock predation is not random, but rather, related to landscape variables and human influence. Sites farther from human influence and closer to forest cover were more susceptible to predation. Jaguar and puma persistence in the biosphere reserve will require measures that facilitate human–carnivore coexistence and comply with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2 and 15 (zero hunger and biodiversity conservation). We propose management practices to mitigate livestock predation in the presence of large carnivores based on examples of proven human–carnivore coexistence in Venezuela, Brazil, Paraguay, and Nicaragua, such as improving the spatial arrangement of livestock (maintaining a distance from forest areas) and the incorporation of confinement pens for young calves (at least the first three months of life) and their mothers. If the pens are built close to the property’s house and have constant surveillance and/or dogs, the results are likely to be more effective. Deploying these proven tools may help change the current negative perception of ranchers towards large carnivores that is essential to conservation under the aims of SDG 15. We recommend government policies and support aimed to strengthen livestock health to increase productivity and to reduce their vulnerability to predation. Finally, this study represents a baseline to understand the magnitude of the human–carnivore conflict over cattle in one of the largest biosphere reserves in Mesoamerica.

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“…It is characterized by an annual rainfall of 2800 mm, an average temperature of 23° C (Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Forestales, 2013), and consists of very humid subtropical forest (Martínez et al, 2020). As a consequence of Martínez et al's (2020) proposal, the first permanent monitoring stations for wildlife were established using camera traps within the core zones buffer zones of the RPBR have experienced rapid and recent habitat fragmentation due to extensive cattle ranching, illegal poaching, and deforestation (Olsoy et al, 2016;Ordoñez-Mazier et al, 2020;Chinchilla et al, 2022). Thus, it seems likely that there has been a loss of forest connectivity in the corridor of La Mosquitia.…”

“…In addition, military patrols must increase in this protected area, not only because it represents an important corridor for biodiversity in northeastern Central America, but because illegal poaching is increasing every year. Additionally, threats that lead to habitat fragmentation and loss for this species are increasing daily, especially in the La Mosquitia region (Ordoñez-Mazier et al, 2020;Chinchilla et al, 2022). Thus, immediate action is required if we are to maintain this northernmost population of M. tridactyla.…”

Multi-lingual multi-platform investigations of online trade in jaguar parts

“…By the end of the 20th century, international jaguar trade was virtually over [ 10 , 20 – 22 ]. Jaguar killing and trading continued domestically at much lower intensity, mostly as an opportunistic response to jaguar-livestock conflicts, preventative killing, and fear [ 23 – 25 ].…”

Multi-lingual multi-platform investigations of online trade in jaguar parts

“…By the end of the 20th century, international jaguar trade was virtually over [9,33,35,36]. Jaguar killing and trading continued domestically at much lower intensity, mostly as an opportunistic response to jaguar-livestock conflicts, preventative killing, and fear [17, 37].…”