Resumo

ANAYA-ZAMORA, Violeta; LOPEZ-GONZALEZ, Carlos A.  e  PINEDA-LOPEZ, Raúl F.. Factors associated with human-carnivore conflict in a protected area in central Mexico. Ecosistemas y recur. agropecuarios [online]. 2017, vol.4, n.11, pp.381-393. ISSN 2007-901X.  https://doi.org/10.19136/era.a4n11.1108.

Conflicts with carnivores such as the puma and jaguar occur with people engaged in productive activities near or inside protected areas, such as the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve, one of the protected areas of central Mexico. A questionnaire was applied to understand the factors involved in the human-carnivore relationship in the region and to increase awareness of human-wildlife conflicts. The results show that age and schooling are important factors in the relationship, that there is a lack of predator control methods and that disease and drought are the most common causes of livestock loss, exceeding losses from predation. The puma and the jaguar are considered as harmful species in the region and the inhabitants do not consider their presence important. The importance given to or the positive attitude towards the presence of the puma and the jaguar in the region is related to the level of education and age, with younger people having a better attitude towards their presence. It is suggested to consider the importance of social factors for better decision making on productive practices and carnivore conservation.

Palavras-chave : Predation; Protected Natural Areas; Puma; Jaguar.