Using noninvasive techniques to monitor game species targeted by poaching in Misiones, Argentina

ABSTRACT Misiones, Argentina contains the largest remnant of Upper Paraná Atlantic forest; however, half of it is unprotected. The long-term survival of its biodiversity is threatened by poaching and habitat loss, which eliminate animal populations and decrease genetic variability in species. Noninvasive techniques were used to evaluate the presence of four mammals [white-lipped peccary (Tayassu pecari), collared peccary (Pecari tajacu), tapir (Tapirus terrestris), and paca (Cuniculus paca)] often targeted by poachers. With detection dogs, 179 scats were collected across intact and modified habitats in the northern-central zones of Misiones. Of the samples collected, 76.5% (n = 137) could be genetically confirmed as one of the three targeted prey: 98 white-lipped peccaries, 13 collared peccaries, and 26 tapirs. A greater proportion of white-lipped peccary and collared peccary samples were associated with heterogeneous landscapes (74.5% and 76.9%, respectively), which contrasts with tapirs that had a higher proportion (76.9%) in native forest. While collared peccaries and tapirs had close association with protected areas (84.6% and 96.2%, respectively), over half (57.1%) of the white-lipped peccary samples were located outside of protected areas. Despite a higher proportion of survey coverage in the central zone (64.0%), the majority (81.8%) of prey samples were in the northern zone. While samples were found across habitats that varied in integrity and degree of protection, the restrictions seen among prey species distributions indicate concern for their long-term survival if the threats imposed by poaching, habitat loss, and human expansion are not controlled, especially in the central zone of Misiones.