Coexistence with large felids in the Calakmul region: a systemic approach to understanding livestock producers’ viewpoints, barriers, and motivations

Big cats, such as jaguars and pumas, play an important role in ecosystems. But the expansion of pastureland for livestock is destroying and fragmenting their habitat, increasing conflicts with farmers. Some farmers still use illegal lethal methods, even though non-lethal techniques can limit attacks by big cats on livestock.
The jaguar (Panthera onca) is near threatened globally and endangered in Mexico. The Yucatán Peninsula is home to the world’s second-largest population of jaguars. In the Calakmul region, jaguars and pumas cause 15% and 22% of livestock attacks, respectively, with the majority caused by jaguars. Among the farmers surveyed, 89% have lost animals, with a median of five losses over two years.

Some protection techniques, such as visual and audible devices, can work, but their adoption depends on economic, social, cultural, and psychological factors.

To promote coexistence, we want to answer two questions: 1) Do visual and audible devices cause fear or avoidance in felines? 2) What are the perspectives, obstacles, and motivations of ranchers? Understanding this will help us propose appropriate solutions and encourage human-feline coexistence.

Faculty Supervisor:

Sophie Calmé

Student:

Partner:

El Colegio de le Frontera Sur

Discipline:

Earth science

Sector:

Education

University:

Université de Sherbrooke

Program: