RELATIVE DENSITY OF PUMAS (FELIS-CONCOLOR ) IN A FORESTRY ECOSYSTEM OF SOUTHERN CHILE

The puma (Felis concolor) is considered a harmful predator that attack s livestock (especially sheep and goats) in southern Chile. To detect seasonal and annual population changes of puma trends in a scent-stati on line was established at Colonia Loncoche, a locality with remnant n ative forests used for farming, livestock production, and exotic pine plantation (Pinus radiata D. Don). Plaster disks saturated with commer cial bobcat urine were used as attractants. Ninety-one tracks of kitte ns/juveniles and sub-adult/adult pumas were recorded and measured, thu s allowing a clearcut discrimination between both age classes. Maximum puma visiting rates observed during autumn (1988) and spring (1988) m ay be attributed to the addition of puma recruits to the resident popu lation.