Hunting as a management tool? Cougar-human conflict is positively related to trophy hunting

BMC Ecology

Research Article

Bogdan Cristescu¹  Kristine J. Teichman²  Chris T. Darimont³ 

[1] Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, 7701, Rondebosch, South Africa;Department of Geography, University of Victoria, PO Box 3060, STN CSC, V8W 3R4, Victoria, BC, Canada;Biology Department, University of British Columbia, 3333 University Way, V1V 1V7, Kelowna, BC, Canada;Department of Geography, University of Victoria, PO Box 3060, STN CSC, V8W 3R4, Victoria, BC, Canada;Raincoast Conservation Foundation, P.O. Box 77, V0T 1B0, Bella Bella, BC, Canada;Hakai Institute, P.O. Box 309, V0P 1H0, Heriot Bay, BC, Canada;

关键词: British Columbia;    Mountain lion;    Predator-human coexistence;    Puma;    Puma concolor;    Skull size;    Trophy hunting;    Wildlife;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12898-016-0098-4

 received in 2016-05-21, accepted in 2016-09-27,  发布年份 2016

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundOverexploitation and persecution of large carnivores resulting from conflict with humans comprise major causes of declines worldwide. Although little is known about the interplay between these mortality types, hunting of predators remains a common management strategy aimed at reducing predator-human conflict. Emerging theory and data, however, caution that such policy can alter the age structure of populations, triggering increased conflict in which conflict-prone juveniles are involved.ResultsUsing a 30-year dataset on human-caused cougar (Puma concolor) kills in British Columbia (BC), Canada, we examined relationships between hunter-caused and conflict-associated mortality. Individuals that were killed via conflict with humans were younger than hunted cougars. Accounting for human density and habitat productivity, human hunting pressure during or before the year of conflict comprised the most important variables. Both were associated with increased male cougar-human conflict. Moreover, in each of five regions assessed, conflict was higher with increased human hunting pressure for at least one cougar sex.ConclusionAlthough only providing correlative evidence, such patterns over large geographic and temporal scales suggest that alternative approaches to conflict mitigation might yield more effective outcomes for humans as well as cougar populations and the individuals within populations.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s) 2016