HUMAN IMPACT ON THE CARNIVORES OF VENEZUE LA

Twenty one species of Neotropical carnivores are found in Venezuela. T en are considered in a critical situation and the Venezuelan governmen t limits the capture of sex species by a present low population level. Up to now the distribution and habitat association of carnivores may have no positive or negative effect on human activities. Among candids the bush dog (Speothos venaticus) could be endangered depending on th e extent to which its range is being destroyed. The gray fox and the c ommon fox may persist or even increase in modified areas. The spectacl ed bear has a very localized distribution in the Andes zone. They are affected by the human impacts, but are not found in immediate danger. Five species of procyonids are found in Venezuela. The mountain coati (Nasuella olivacea) by their habitat requirements and restricted range of distribution may make this procyonid more vulnerable to habitat mo dification. The kinkajau and olingo are forest dwellers and arboreal w ith a frugivorous diet, these species may be vulnerable to forest frag mentation. The raccoon and the coati flexibly respond to habitat modif ication and may even increase their populations. The weasel (Mustela f renata), tayra (Eira barbara), grison (Galictis vittata) and skunk (Co nepatus semistriatus) are widely distributed in many habitats and the human activities may have a positive or negative effect on their popul ations. The river otter (Lutra longicaudis) and the giant otter (Ptero nura brasiliensis) are classified to be in a critical situation by the illegal hunting and the habitat destruction. The puma and the jaguar are widely distributed in the country, but their populations are negat ively affected by the hunting and the habitat modification. The ocelot and the jaguarundi are widely distributed in the territory. They are probably the felids least affected by destruction and disturbance of t heir habitats. The tiger cat (Felis tigrina) and the margay (Felis wie dii) show a more scattered, but apparently localized distribution. The human activities have a negative effect on these felids because they seem to be specific in their requirements.