Goats and sheep are vulnerable to mountain lion attacks, specially if left unguarded during the night

Mountain lions are poached because they attack livestock

Above, a video (2MB) showing the sheep recently killed by a puma in september 2006.

According to our investigation, mountain lions will kill several free-ranging sheep during a single attack, and reduce to few individuals a herd of several dozen animals in few weeks. When sheep herds are brought to corrals at night near human habitations they are only occasionally attacked. This is due to the stress involved in attacking sheep near human dwellings.

In its natural habitat, mountain lions will drag a recent kill to cover before feeding on it. When currals are surrounded by several wires, mountain lions will not be able to jump over it with the prey and drag it to cover to feed. Against its instincts, it will have to feed in the fenced yard. Under stress, a mountain lion was recorded regurgitating in this situation.

In september 2006, at the highland study area of southern Brazil, a fence with 17 barbed wire distant only 15 cm from each other, and two electrified wires were unable to keep a puma outside a corral full of sheep. Eighteen sheep were unexpectedly killed during a single attack, against the average loss of two to three sheep - the fence must have worked against its purpose. The puma was believed to be addicted to livestock killing. Projeto Puma has partially compensated the damage, and it is now currently seeking funds for further initiatives to reduce livestock depredation, and consequently reduce puma and jaguar persecution.