Conflict between Geoffroy's cat (Leopardus geoffroyi) and anthropic activities in Santa Lucia Wetlands, Uruguay

Santa Lucia Wetlands is a protected area of Uruguay. The area is categorized as a protected area with managed resources. This means that there are people living and making use of the resources of the area, but with guidelines and restrictions regarding the activities that are allowed. This protected area is located in a region classified as highly suitable for Geoffroy’s cat. The landscape is a heterogeneous matrix with natural areas such as riparian forests, grasslands and wetlands, and different degrees of anthropic modification (towns, farms, crops). This leads to wildlife-human interactions, in particular Geoffroy’s cat has conflict with chicken farmers due to the occasional depredation in chicken coops. Producers often hunt this feline, or it is captured and locked up in zoos. The objective of this project is to asses and mitigate conflicts between Geoffroy’s cat and poultry farmers. Interviews will be carried out to evaluate the dimension of the conflict and to find out the feelings of the producers. Also we will be working together  in strategies to mitigate the conflict (such as the design of chickens fences).