Supplementary Material: Carnivore-Livestock Conflicts in Chile: Evidence and Methods for Mitigation

Abstract: Human population growth and habitat loss have exacerbated human-wildlife conflicts worldwide. We explored trends in human-wildlife conflicts (HWCs) in Chile using scientific and official reports to identify areas and species with higher risk of conflicts and tools available for their prevention and mitigation. The puma (Puma concolor) was considered the most frequent predator, however, fox (Lycalopex spp.) and free-ranging or feral dog (Canis familiaris) attacks were also common. Our results suggest that the magnitude of puma conflicts may be overestimated. Domestic sheep (Ovis spp.) and poultry (Galliformes) were the most common species predated. Livestock losses were widespread across Chile, but were highest in San Jose de Maipo, located in central Chile, Cochrane, La Union, and Lago Verde, in south Chile, municipalities. Guardian dogs and the livestock insurance, as a part of the Agriculture Insurance of Chile, were identified as the most promising tools to mitigate HWCs, short- and mid-term, respectively. However, longer-term strategies should focus on improving livestock management through extension (i.e. farmer education) programs for local communities. In Chile, HWCs negatively impact small farmers and wild-carnivore populations. An inter-institutional, interdisciplinary strategy, integrating input from government, non-governmental organizations, farmers, and academia, is needed to achieve effective carnivore conservation in the long-term.

摘要：人类人口增长与栖息地丧失在全球范围内加剧了人兽冲突。本研究通过科学及官方报告，探讨了智利地区人兽冲突（HWCs）的趋势，旨在识别冲突风险较高的地区与物种，以及预防与缓解冲突的可用工具。其中，美洲狮（Puma concolor）被视为最常见的捕食者，然而狐狸（Lycalopex spp.）以及放养或流浪犬（Canis familiaris）的攻击亦十分常见。研究结果表明，美洲狮冲突的严重程度可能被高估。家养绵羊（Ovis spp.）和家禽（Galliformes）是最常见的被捕食物种。在智利，牲畜损失普遍存在，但在智利中部的圣何塞·德·马伊波、南部的科克兰、拉乌尼翁和拉戈·维尔德等市镇尤为严重。守护犬和作为智利农业保险一部分的牲畜保险，分别被视为缓解短期和中期人兽冲突最有潜力的工具。然而，长期策略应侧重于通过推广（即农民教育）项目改善当地社区的牲畜管理。在智利，人兽冲突对小型农民和野生食肉动物种群产生负面影响。为在长期内实现有效的食肉动物保护，需要跨机构、跨学科的战略，整合政府、非政府组织、农民和学术界各方意见。