Poultry–carnivore conflict in Chile: Are we advancing toward effective co-existence for small wild carnivore conservation?

Abstract

Human–carnivore conflicts threaten carnivores worldwide; they are an escalating concern for the conservation of carnivores and the well-being of subsistence farmers. While most of the available information focuses on large carnivores and livestock such as cattle, sheep, and goats, the interaction between mesocarnivores and poultry is a significant challenge that has not received sufficient attention. Chile is no exception; few studies suggest that carnivore predation on poultry threatens small-scale producers and is a nationwide problem. To better assess this conflict, we developed a survey aimed at professionals who work directly with small-scale farmers across the country to examine the current conflict between native, invasive, and domestic carnivores (dogs and cats) and small-scale poultry farmers in rural areas of Chile. A staggering 92.4% of professionals surveyed mentioned that small-scale farmers deal with predation issues, with dogs (with or without owner) being the most frequently mentioned predator (86%), followed by Lycalopex foxes, lesser grison (Galictis cuja) and American mink (Neovison vison). Our results show that confinement, the primary method to prevent predation, could reduce predation event frequency. Despite being illegal, lethal control was mentioned by 36.4% of surveyed professionals as a used method to reduce predation, therefore, representing a potential threat to native carnivores and animal welfare. Addressing poultry predation by native and non-native carnivores (dog and mink) is a crucial step toward advancing human–mesocarnivore coexistence in Chile.