Drivers of large carnivore density in non‐hunted, multi‐use landscapes

Protected areas serve as population strongholds for many large carnivores, with multi-use landscapes along their borders forming the front-lines of wildlife conservation. Understanding carnivore dynamics within working is difficult where anthropogenic mortality high and unregulated. This study focused on ranches, killing jaguars (Panthera onca) prey was prohibited, to gain insight into jaguar potential across landscapes. Faced forest fragmentation, presence domestic livestock, dynamic land-use practices, we expected populations in be predominantly male transient, low cub production, inflated densities remnant patches, versus protected native habitat stable territories. Using camera traps spatial-capture recapture analyses, observed that demonstrated larger-scale movements were more detectable than females (0.07 ± 0.01 SE vs. 0.02 SE) both Female ranches traveled farther parks. Carnivore density increased cover wild activity, decreased marginally higher (4.08 individuals/100 km2 0.73 parks (3.59 0.64 SE). Females outnumbered males (2.20–2.60 females/100 ~1.60 males/100 km2), although local reached up 11.00 (vs. 3.50 parks). While overall patchier ( x ̿ = 0.69 parks, 0.54 ranches), inter-annual patchiness (Moran's I 0.49–0.60 0.69–0.70 parks), reflecting changes cattle management. Despite major alterations, can support equivalent (or exceeding of) unmodified habitat, provided wildlife-tolerant ranching practices are maintained.