Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:32:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 5012.pdf: 1905383 bytes, checksum: a0998ff6fc2a6a32283393c52fcdd06f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-02-25 / Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos / Landscape fragmentation and habitats loss caused by human activities have led to a decline cougar populations (Puma concolor). Delimiting populations and establish rates of migration between them is essential to understanding its dynamics and therefore planning conservation measures. The present study propose to use molecular techniques with noninvasive samples to evaluate the status of a population of P. concolor inhabiting in a patch of 32km2 of São Paulo State. The population size was of 6 individuals and its density ranged between 4.6 and 1.8/100km2. In addition, this population was analyzed together with other individuals of P. concolor collected in the northeast region of the state. Bayesian clustering methods were used to identify genetic populations, and Bayesian multilocus genotyping method to estimate migration rates, in order to determinate possible source-sink dynamics. Finally, two subpopulations separated by the highway SP-310 were identified. The results showed that the subpopulation located on the east of the highway behaved as source population and the another one found on west as a sink. Future researches of P. concolor populations must aim to determinate the populations structures and thereby facilitate the establishment of effective action plans for the conservation of the species. / A contínua fragmentação e perda de habitats ocasionados pela ação humana têm levado ao declínio de populações de onça-parda (Puma concolor). Delimitar as populações, e estabelecer as taxas de migração entre elas é essencial para entender a dinâmica populacional e, consequentemente, planejar medidas conservacionistas. No estudo foram utilizadas técnicas moleculares com amostras não invasivas para avaliar uma população de P. concolor em um fragmento de cerrado de 32km2 no estado de São Paulo, o qual apresentou um tamanho populacional de 6 indivíduos e uma densidade que variava entre 4,6 e 1,8/100km2. Adicionalmente, esta população foi analisada em conjunto com outros indivíduos de P. concolor coletados na região nordeste do estado. O método de cluster Bayesiano foi utilizado para o estabelecimento de populações genéticas, e o método Bayesiano de genótipos multiloci para estimar as taxas de migração a fim de determinar uma possível dinâmica fontesumidouro. Finalmente, foram identificadas duas subpopulações, que tinham com barreira a rodovia SP-310. A partir dos resultados constatou-se que a subpopulação localizada ao leste da rodovia se comportava como população fonte e a subpopulação ao oeste como sumidouro. Futuras pesquisas acerca populacionais de P. concolor deverão visar a determinação da estrutura populacional e desse modo favorecer o estabelecimento de planos de ação eficientes para a conservação da espécie

Memoria para optar al Título Profesional de Ingeniero Agrónomo / El Puma concolor es el vertebrado con más amplia distribución en América y ha sido registrado en una gama amplia de hábitats y estados sucesionales desde el sur de Canadá, Estados Unidos, Centro América y Sudamérica (Costa pacífica, Costa Caribe, Andes y Amazonia, hasta el extremo sur de Chile y Argentina). El objetivo de esta investigación fue establecer un análisis comparativo de las Políticas de Conservación de Felinos Silvestres de Chile y países de Sudamérica, enfocándose principalmente en el caso del Puma concolor. La información recopilada en este documento se categorizó desde lo más amplio a lo más específico. Así se compiló información de los felinos en general y del Puma concolor en particular. Luego en base a la información recopilada se elaboró una entrevista que se aplicó a informantes claves para recoger su apreciación sobre la conservación de felinos.

The objective of this research was to study the impacts of large USSE facilities on wildlife movement corridors and habitat connectivity in Florida to identify important habitat patches and movement corridors significant for potential Florida panther (Puma concolor coryi) dispersal, conservation, and recovery. Large carnivores (such as Florida panther) have often been examined as conservation umbrellas for large-scale connectivity planning due to their extensive spatial requirements (Beier et al., 2006, Thorne et al., 2006). In addition, Florida panther is relatively well-studied species that have been listed as endangered under the US Endangered Species Act for over 40 years, due to habitat fragmentation and reduction. Habitat suitability was compared before and after the installation of the USSE facilities using RandomForest model developed by Frakes and Knight (in prep). The connectivity study focused on comparing current density and effective resistance (resistance distance) before and after the installations of USSE facilities and was conducted using Circuitscape 4.0. The impacts on habitat connectivity were the most substantial in the areas where the USSE facilities were installed on or around wildlife corridors, near focal areas, and in large clusters. The study has identified important linkages and new pathways that animals may try to take in order to bypass the facilities. The study has also shown that installation of USSE facilities in areas not suitable as habitat for Florida panthers, but still permeable or semi-permeable (e.g., agricultural lands), can substantially impact connectivity between focal areas. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2020. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Cougars (Puma concolor) are difficult to census due to their large home ranges, low densities, and cryptic nature. The conventional “gold-standard” method for estimating cougar abundance entails the capture and radio-tagging of individuals in a study area in an attempt to acquire a direct enumeration of animals in the population. While this method provides an accurate abundance estimate, it is logistically challenging and prohibitively expensive. Noninvasive survey techniques may offer the ability to both accurately and inexpensively monitor cougar populations. While noninvasive techniques have been used on cougar populations, there remain questions on their accuracy and comparative efficacy. We estimated the density of a cougar population in Northwest Wyoming using direct enumeration, and used this estimate as a reference with which to evaluate the accuracy and cost-effectiveness of three types of noninvasive surveys performed between 2010 and 2014. The noninvasive methods included two annual mark- recapture sessions of: 1) remote camera trapping, 2) winter hair-collection transects, and 3) scat detection dog surveys. We GPS tracked 13 adult cougars (males = 5, females = 8) over 3 annual periods (Sep 2010 – Sep 2013). We used proportional home range overlap to determine density in a 1,570 km2 area. The average density was 0.82 cougars/100 km2 (± 0.10 SD; n = 3 years). The remote camera surveys produced a mean density of 0.60 cougars/100 km2 (n = 2 years; relative SD = 56.5%). The scat detection dog surveys produced an average density of 2.41 cougars/100 km2 (n = 2 years; relative SD = 12.6%). The winter transects failed to produce a sample size large enough for an abundance estimate. Due to the inclusion of non-adults in the scat sampling, and the fact that the reference estimate was essentially a minimum count of adults, we believe that the scat-based estimate was more accurate than the lower estimate produced by remote cameras. Additional analysis indicated that individual identification of cougars in photographs may not be reliable, challenging the validity of photo-based abundance estimates of cougars. On a cost-per-detection basis, scat detection dogs were the most cost effective method (scat detection dogs = $341; remote cameras = $3,241; winter transects = $7,627).

Cougar (Puma concolor) predation has been identified as being one of several factors contributing to the decline of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) throughout the Western United States. In order to better understand how these elusive felines utilize their surroundings and prey, I examined and analyzed cougar predation behavior in North-Central Utah, using global positioning systems (GPS) data from 2002-2010. Twenty-three cougars were fitted with GPS collars and monitored for prey caching behavior. In total 775 potential cache sites were visited and 546 prey remains found. Mule deer comprised the majority of prey at cougar cache sites, but 11 other species were also found. Collectively, adult female mule deer were killed more than any other demographic class. Proportionally there was no difference in the sex or age class of deer killed by cougars in three different population segments, but seasonal differences were found in the number of kills made between cougar groups. Female cougars with kittens had a higher predation rate than males or solitary females, and seasonally more kills were made in the winter vs. summer. Cougars spent an average of 3.3 days on deer kills, and 6.2 days on elk kills. Habitat analyses suggested that cougars preferentially used Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii) over other land cover types when caching prey, as well as selected unburned over burned areas for caching and foraging on prey. These results suggest that cougars utilize dense stands of vegetation cover when stalking and concealing their prey. Wildlife managers may want to consider the use of prescribed burns in areas of high cougar predation on mule deer. This habitat manipulation tool could simultaneously help mule deer populations by reducing the percent of stalking cover afforded to cougars when attempting to kill prey, along with increasing nutrient levels of newly burned foliage and allow for an increased diversity in forb and shrub species available to mule deer.

A lo largo de su distribución el puma, Puma concolor, protagoniza complejas interacciones con los humanos. En el Espinal del sudoeste bonaerense, donde los hábitats naturales han sido alterados por las actividades agro-ganaderas, este felino es el foco de intensos conflictos con los productores, quienes responden a la predación de ganado matando al puma. El primer objetivo de esta tesis fue el de determinar los patrones de actividad y uso del hábitat del puma en el SO bonaerense, explorando el efecto de los factores antrópicos. El segundo fue evaluar los conflictos con los humanos, mediante una revisión global del conflicto humano-puma y la caracterización de esta problemática en el Espinal bonaerense. A través de una revisión bibliográfica, se describió el conflicto entre ganadería y puma en las Américas. Los conflictos ocurrieron en el 78,1% de las publicaciones (n=69) y fueron más comunes en América del Sur y Central. El ovino fue la especie preferida por el puma y la presencia de conflictos fue mayor en ambientes con abundante cobertura de vegetación, lejos de las rutas y a distancias medias de ciudades. Las áreas protegidas no evitaron la presencia del conflicto. El análisis mediante Modelos Lineales Generalizados (MLG) indicó que el conflicto ocurriría en zonas con altas densidades de vacunos, cerca de ambientes con abundante cobertura vegetal y con menor riqueza de co-predadores. Aun así, se evidencia la escasez de informaciones sobre este tema. Se realizaron tres campañas de trampeo fotográfico en los partidos de Villarino y Patagones, Pcia. de Buenos Aires, y se registraron 105 eventos de puma. Los MLG mixtos mostraron que la proporción de pastizales con arbustos y monte, la riqueza de presas silvestres y la diversidad ambiental tuvieron un efecto positivo, y significativo, sobre la intensidad de uso del hábitat del puma, mientras que la fragmentación catastral la afectó negativamente. Este felino presentó una actividad crepuscularnocturna, con leves diferencias estacionales. Se realizaron 213 entrevistas semi-estructuradas en ambos partidos e inspecciones directas a sitios de predación de ganado en un área de Patagones. La predación se reportó en el 39,7% (n=75) de las propiedades y causó una pérdida promedio de 2134,1±6049,2 USD, afectando principalmente la producción de ovejas. Todos los eventos de predación ocurrieron de noche y preferentemente en cultivos y pastizales con arbustos. Las tasas de mortalidad fueron de 3,7 y 1,1-1,56 individuos/añox100km2 para ovinos y pumas, respectivamente. Los recintos nocturnos parecieron disminuir las pérdidas de ovejas pero los productores consideraron la caza de puma como la forma más efectiva de reducir la predación. La cobertura de vegetación, la presión antrópica y la disponibilidad de presas fueron factores recurrentes en este trabajo y parecen determinantes no sólo en la presencia del conflicto humano-puma globalmente y en el Espinal bonaerense, sino también en el uso del hábitat de este felino en esta región. Para la conservación del puma en áreas agrícolo-ganaderas son necesarias estrategias que combinen herramientas que favorezcan la tolerancia de los productores y la mitigación de las pérdidas por predación con la conservación de ambientes y especies presas claves del felino. / Throughout its distribution range, Puma concolor is involved in complex interactions with humans. In the Argentinean Espinal of the southwest of Buenos Aires province, where natural habitats have been altered by agricultural and livestock activities, this feline is the focus of intense conflicts with ranchers, who respond to predation on livestock by killing pumas. The first objective of this thesis was to determine the puma activity and habitat use patterns in southern Buenos Aires province, exploring the effect of human factors . The second was to carry out a review of human-puma conflicts through its distribution and characterize them in the southwest of the Espinal ecoregion. Human-puma conflict was described in the American continent through a bibliographical review. Conflicts occurred in 78,1% (n=69) of the literature and were more common in South and Central America. Sheep were the species preferred by pumas and the presence of conflicts was greater in areas with high vegetation coverage, far from main roads and at average distances of cities. Protected areas did not prevent the occurrence of conflict. Generalized Linear Models (GLM) identified that conflict would occur in areas with high cattle densities, in proximity of habitat with high vegetation coverage and with low co-predators richness. Lack of information on this subject is highlighted. 105 puma events were collected in three photographic trapping surveys carried out in Villarino and Patagones counties. The mixed GLMs showed that the proportion of grasslands with bushes and bushland, wild prey richness and habitat diversity had positive and significant effects on puma habitat use, while cadastral fragmentation affected it negatively. This feline presented a crepuscular-nocturnal activity with seasonal variations. Semi-structured interviews (n=213) were completed out in both counties and direct inspections on livestock kill site were carried out in an area of Patagones county. Predation was reported in 39,7% (n=75) of the ranches and caused an average loss of 2134,1±6049,2 USD, affecting mainly sheep production. All predation events occurred at night and preferably in cropland and grasslands with shrubs. Mortality rates were 3,7 and 1,1-1,56 individuals/year x 100km2 for sheep and pumas, respectively. Night enclosures appeared to reduce sheep losses, but puma hunting was considered by ranchers the most effective and implemented method of reducing predation. Vegetation coverage, anthropogenic pressure and prey availability were recurrent factors in this study and seem to be determinant not only in the presence of human-puma conflict globally and in the Espinal of Buenos Aires province, but also in the habitat use of this feline in this region. Puma conservation strategies in rangeland and agricultural- landscapes need to combine tools favoring tolerance by ranchers and mitigation of depredation losses with the conservation of key habitat and wild prey.

The elusive jaguar (Panthera onca) is extremely difficult to study due to its wide-ranging behavior, crepuscular activity peaks and its occurrence in low population densities in often dense forest habitats. Jaguars are also a species of concern, but our ability to provide for their survival is hampered by our inability to obtain reliable information on the status of their wild populations. This study combines innovative noninvasive research techniques such as scat detector dogs and molecular scatology to conduct the first genetic study on wild populations of Neotropical felids coexisting across fragmented forest habitats in Belize, Central America. Specifically, we analyzed multi-locus data in jaguars (Panthera onca), pumas (Puma concolor) and ocelots (Leopardus pardalis) collected from 1053 scat samples across their range in the country. First, we optimized 14 polymorphic microsatellite loci for jaguars (Panthera onca), pumas (Puma concolor), and ocelots (Leopardus pardalis), and assessed their utility for cross-species amplification. Additionally, we tested their reliability for species and individual identification using fecal DNA as he primary DNA source. All microsatellite loci examined successfully cross-amplified in the three target species, and were polymorphic. Second, to maximize PCR amplification success and genotyping accuracy rates, and to minimize genotyping error rates for fecal DNA samples, we evaluated the performance of two fecal DNA storage techniques (dimethyl sulfoxide saline solution/DET buffer, 95% EtOH) suitable for long-term preservation at remote tropical sites. Additionally, we tested fecal DNA samples collected from four different scat locations (top, side, bottom, inside). DET buffer was the superior fecal DNA preservation method and collecting fecal DNA from side and top locations of the scat resulted in the highest PCR success rates. For the main genetic study, we assessed the genetic conservation status of all three target species across the country of Belize. We examined levels of genetic diversity within different sites, (2) defined potential genetic clusters/populations, (3) and examined levels of gene flow and population structure for all three target species on a countrywide scale. Furthermore, we compared genetic diversity and gene flow levels among the three target species. Wild felids in Belize showed moderate levels of heterozygosity (HE = 0.60 - 0.70) with jaguars having the lowest genetic diversity with average expected heterozygosities of HE = 0.60 ± 0.05 and allelic richness (AR) of 4.94 ± 0.44 followed by pumas with HE = 0.65 ± 0.06 and AR of 7.52 ± 0.86 and ocelots with HE = 0.70 ± 0.05 and AR of 3.89 ± 0.23. We observed low to moderate levels of differentiation (FST = 0.00 - 0.15) and weak population structure using spatial Bayesian clustering techniques for all three target species. Although levels of genetic diversity and gene flow across the country are still fairly high, we did detect evidence of fragmentation indicating the risk of further habitat loss and fragmentation for wild felids. Felids were simultaneously monitored across all study sites by remote sensing camera traps, which allows for a comparison of density estimates obtained from two different noninvasive survey approaches. Furthermore, analytical methods for density estimation are advancing rapidly, making it difficult to choose the optimal technique. Thus, we compared a variety of density estimators including the conventional approach of estimating abundance ( ) in programs CAPTURE and MARK and dividing abundance by the effective trapping area (ETA), the recently developed spatially explicit capture-recapture (SECR) models, both the likelihood-based approach (ML-SECR) in program DENSITY and the Bayesian approach (B-SECR) in program SPACECAP, and finally the genetic-based mark-recapture one sampling occasion estimator in program CAPWIRE. Although different survey methods using various density estimators produced similar density estimates, confidence levels and coefficients of variation varied, with SECR methods resulting in the least precise estimates. Detection probabilities were generally higher for noninvasive genetic sampling than for camera trapping. Both techniques were shown to be reliable and highly efficient survey methods for density estimation of low-density Neotropical felids living in challenging environments such as the tropics. While less precise, SECR CMR models are probably a more realistic reflection of our uncertainty. They hold great promise for density estimation studies for wide-ranging and territorial carnivore species, especially if precision can be improved through study design or analysis advancements in the future. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that noninvasive sampling techniques such as molecular scatology and remote camera trapping are efficient research approaches to study multiple Neotropical felids in a multifaceted way and on a countrywide scale. We believe that the techniques and analyses developed in this study are widely applicable and relevant to the conservation and management of other elusive and difficult to study wild felids worldwide. / Ph. D.

Despite being a top carnivore, there is relatively scant information on pumas (<i>Puma concolor</i>) in the neotropics especially compared to the more well-studied jaguar (<i>Panthera onca</i>). Understanding long-term puma distribution can affect land management decisions such as appropriate size of buffer zones around protected areas since pumas influence, and are influenced by, sympatric carnivore populations, lower trophic levels, and habitat. We used single-species, single-season and multi-season occupancy modeling to explore factors influencing distribution and persistence of pumas across the country of Belize. We used camera trapping data from 7 protected areas over 20 years with 2,198 camera stations covering ~5,000 km2. For both approaches, detection was mostly affected by distance to roads, enhanced vegetation index (EVI), and elevation, with variable directionality depending on site. In single season modeling, Occupancy increased at lower elevations and intermediate EVI in one site, and closer to water sources at another, while in multi-season modeling, intermediate EVI and canopy cover influenced occupancy. Biotic covariates were highly variable across sites and methods, but detection and occupancy were generally positively associated with prey, jaguar and ocelot trap rates, canopy cover, and elevation, while human trap rates negatively affected occupancy at one site. Colonization was positively affected by deer (<i>Odocoileus virginianus</i> and <i>Mazama americana</i>) trap rates while extinction had no supported covariates. Puma occupancy ranged from 0.41-0.96 in single season models and 0.55-0.90 in multi-season models across all site/years. Compared to other single-season studies, Belize generally had higher occupancy, even in areas of selective logging, however there are no other multi-season studies to compare. While sites with heavy human impacts had lowest occupancy, these areas are still used and likely serve as steppingstones between protected areas of higher occupancy. Such areas could be targets for protection to preserve landscape connectivity. Additionally, due to high occupancy and colonization across varying habitat and biotic factors the jaguar is likely an effective umbrella species for puma space use, however more analysis on other species is needed to ensure efficiency for more than just pumas. / Master of Science / The neotropics is an important global zone known for high biodiversity and carbon sequestration. Felids (wild cats) play an important role in maintaining biodiversity and structure in ecosystems, however, they are facing threats to their survival due to habitat loss and fragmentation, and negative human-wildlife conflict. To protect ecosystem health, managers often employ the umbrella species concept, meaning if they protect the jaguar with its large spatial requirements, other wildlife species that fall within that area will also be protected. However, there have been few studies on the effectiveness of this strategy, especially for species like the puma, that might be competitive with jaguars. Occupancy modeling is a powerful tool in wildlife management that uses presence absence analysis to determine where species occur on a landscape. We used camera trapping data across multiple protected areas over 20 years to determine what influences pumas across the landscape. We found pumas were affected by differing variables depending on habitat. Important variables were: thickness of vegetation, elevation, distance to roads and water, prey and there were positively associated with jaguars and ocelots. Additionally, pumas were more likely to move into a new site if the activity of their favored prey, deer, was high. Pumas occurred at 41-96% of camera stations depending on site, across all years, indicating they are widespread across Belize. Compared to 11 other occupancy studies from Latin America, Belize generally had higher occupancy, even in areas of selective logging, compared to the other available studies in the neotropics. While sites with heavy human impacts had lowest occupancy, these areas are still being used by pumas and likely serve as steppingstones between protected areas of higher occupancy. Such areas could be targets for protection to preserve landscape connectivity across Belize, which is rapidly developing in infrastructure. Overall, jaguars appear to be a suitable umbrella species for the puma, however, further analysis is needed for more specialized species such as threatened Baird's tapir, crested guan, black howler monkey, and smaller cat species, the margay and jaguarundi, to ensure that the jaguar is a suitable umbrella species that supports a wide variety of species within the community.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:30:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 6391.pdf: 1842446 bytes, checksum: dbad0676b72990eac6ccaf3c01e7b92d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-04-02 / Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos / O objetivo geral deste trabalho foi compreender os limites e as potencialidades do desenvolvimento de programas de educação ambiental para a conservação de animais predadores de topo de cadeia no entorno de áreas protegidas do interior do Estado de São Paulo. O processo de coleta e análise de dados envolveu pessoas com diferentes conexões com a temática estudada e cujos papéis históricos são relevantes para a transformação deste contexto, seguindo as indicações da metodologia comunicativa crítica. Realizamos levantamento de potencialidades das unidades de conservação do nordeste paulista para desenvolver ações educativas com enfoque na conservação da onça parda, com base em entrevistas estruturadas. Posteriormente, realizamos grupos focais comunicativos e entrevistas comunicativas com educadoras/es, funcionárias/os, pesquisadoras/es, gestoras/es, estudantes, trabalhador e produtor rural, envolvidos de diferentes formas com a temática da conservação da biodiversidade no interior e entorno das Estações Ecológica e Experimental de Itirapina (SP). Como principais resultados, identificamos a existência de ações voltadas ao envolvimento da comunidade do entorno nos trabalhos educativos que já ocorrem ou que poderiam ocorrer nas unidades de conservação do nordeste paulista. Destacamos a importância de um processo educativo com pessoas adultas que considere as características da vida adulta, assim como motivações pessoais e de trabalho para gerar transformações no sentido da conservação da biodiversidade e da melhoria da qualidade de vida das pessoas no entorno de áreas protegidas. Além disso, indicamos que as interações entre os seres humanos e os predadores precisam ser encaradas em sua complexidade, entendendo a posição de cada pessoa ou grupo em relação a situações conflituosas e promovendo um diálogo entre conhecimento acadêmico e popular para buscar soluções efetivas e duradouras. Finalmente, reconhecemos que o tema da conservação da onça parda deve ser associado a outros interesses e demandas da comunidade local para ser abordado de forma ampla e para promover novas formas de conhecer, valorizar e agir sobre a biodiversidade. Ainda apresentamos algumas considerações metodológicas e buscamos aproximar os princípios da aprendizagem dialógica à educação ambiental crítica. / O objetivo geral deste trabalho foi compreender os limites e as potencialidades do desenvolvimento de programas de educação ambiental para a conservação de animais predadores de topo de cadeia no entorno de áreas protegidas do interior do Estado de São Paulo. O processo de coleta e análise de dados envolveu pessoas com diferentes conexões com a temática estudada e cujos papéis históricos são relevantes para a transformação deste contexto, seguindo as indicações da metodologia comunicativa crítica. Realizamos levantamento de potencialidades das unidades de conservação do nordeste paulista para desenvolver ações educativas com enfoque na conservação da onça parda, com base em entrevistas estruturadas. Posteriormente, realizamos grupos focais comunicativos e entrevistas comunicativas com educadoras/es, funcionárias/os, pesquisadoras/es, gestoras/es, estudantes, trabalhador e produtor rural, envolvidos de diferentes formas com a temática da conservação da biodiversidade no interior e entorno das Estações Ecológica e Experimental de Itirapina (SP). Como principais resultados, identificamos a existência de ações voltadas ao envolvimento da comunidade do entorno nos trabalhos educativos que já ocorrem ou que poderiam ocorrer nas unidades de conservação do nordeste paulista. Destacamos a importância de um processo educativo com pessoas adultas que considere as características da vida adulta, assim como motivações pessoais e de trabalho para gerar transformações no sentido da conservação da biodiversidade e da melhoria da qualidade de vida das pessoas no entorno de áreas protegidas. Além disso, indicamos que as interações entre os seres humanos e os predadores precisam ser encaradas em sua complexidade, entendendo a posição de cada pessoa ou grupo em relação a situações conflituosas e promovendo um diálogo entre conhecimento acadêmico e popular para buscar soluções efetivas e duradouras. Finalmente, reconhecemos que o tema da conservação da onça parda deve ser associado a outros interesses e demandas da comunidade local para ser abordado de forma ampla e para promover novas formas de conhecer, valorizar e agir sobre a biodiversidade. Ainda apresentamos algumas considerações metodológicas e buscamos aproximar os princípios da aprendizagem dialógica à educação ambiental crítica.