Impacto humano sobre los carnívoros de Venezuela

Abstract

Twenty one species of Neotropical carnivores are found in Venezuela. Ten are considered in a critical situation and the Venezuelan government 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 venalicus) could be endangered depending on the extent to which its range is being destroyed. The gray fox and the common fox may persist or even increase in modified areas. The spectacled 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 modification. The kinkajau and olingo are forest dwellers and arboreal with a frugivorous diet, these species may be vulnerable to forest fragmentation. The raccoon and the coati flexibly respond to habitat modification and may even increase their populations. The weasel (Muslela frenata), tayra (Eira barbara), grison (Galictis vittata) and skunk (Conepatus semisiriatus) are widely distributed in many habitats and the human activities may have a positive or negative effect on their populations. The river otter (Lutra longicaudis) and the giant otter (Pteronura 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 negatively 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 their habitats. The tiger cat (Felis tigrina) and the margay (Felis wiedii) 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.