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The lethal control of carnivores in order to protect livestock is a common practice worldwide, but its effectiveness has been poorly evaluated and is still unclear. Pumas (Puma concolor) are considered by ranchers one of the main sheep predators in Patagonia, and their hunting is ncouraged by the by the provincial estates through a state bounty system. This management measure does not include the examination and monitoring of the removed individuals. Our objective was to determine the age and sex structure of cougars hunted through the state bounty system in Chubut and Santa Cruz. We examined 411 skulls collected in both provinces. The age of each specimen was estimated by their tooth-wear pattern, established on the basis of skulls of known age. Sex was specified by hunters or obtained through a discriminant analysis based on four cranial measurements taken from specimens of known sex. The greatest proportion of individuals in both provinces corresponds to class I or sub -adults (between 16 months and two years of age) (43.6% in Chubut and 46.5% in Santa Cruz), followed by cubs (up to 16 months old) and the successive age-classes. The bias towards younger age classes could be related to their relative abundance in the population together with their vulnerability to harvest. The state bounty system does not provide real benefits to livestock ranchers. Effort and resources for the management of cougars should be used to develop alternative strategies that address the issues discussed here and that benefit both the productive sector and the conservation of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sheep depredation by puma (Puma concolor) is a socio-environmental problem that has intensified in recent decades in Patagonia. A bounty system to control this carnivore is implemented in Chubut province (central Patagonia), whereas alternative measures to mitigate the conflict are still in progress. A common recommendation to limit livestock depredation by large carnivores is to maintain suitable levels of wild prey populations. To evaluate the applicability of this recommendation, we examined the puma diet in ranches of the northeastern of Chubut. We analyzed the stomach and intestinal contents of 21 pumas hunted under provincial legislation. The guanaco (Lama guanicoe) represented around 75% of the total biomass consumed. Sheep was the second prey in relevance, but their contribution to the diet was four times lower than the guanaco. Our results emphasize the role of this large native ungulate as main prey and its potential relevance as a buffer against predation on sheep. This study provides information that could be useful for preventive management of livestock predation in Patagonia. • Stomach and intestinal contents of 21 pumas hunted in Chubut province were analyzed. • The main prey consumed by pumas in livestock ranches was the guanaco. • Sheep contribution to diet was four times less than that of the guanaco. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]