July 27, 24:00

Study shows that dogs influence the behavior of pumas in São Paulo preservation areas

A study demonstrated that the presence of dogs affects the behavior of pumas in preservation zones located in the interior of São Paulo, leading the felines to modify their movement patterns and avoid certain areas.

Research Context

Dogs and humans share one of the oldest relationships in the history of domestication, being descendants of wolves, a process that began 15,000 to 50,000 years ago. Currently, the global dog population exceeds one billion individuals, distributed in almost all places inhabited by humans. Although many live in urban environments, there are free rural dogs that have caretakers and food but travel through farms, roads, and native vegetation, sometimes interacting with wildlife in Conservation Units.

This interaction motivated a study conducted by researchers from Unesp, whose article was published in the journal Biological Conservation. The investigation focused on how canine presence impacts the behavior of the puma, the main terrestrial predator remaining in much of the state of São Paulo. The results were unexpected: instead of fearing dogs, the pumas alter their behavior to flee from the locations where the dogs passed.

Using camera traps in two conservation units in the interior of São Paulo, scientists observed that after a dog passed, the puma takes, on average, 74 hours to return to the same point, resuming routine use of the area only about five or six days later. This pattern suggests a clear strategy of avoiding contact with dogs, even without direct confrontations.

Environmental and Scientific Impacts

The presence of dogs in human environments generates environmental impacts; some studies link them to the extinction of at least 11 vertebrate species and pose a threat to another 188, although most of these studies focus on birds and small animals. Rita Bianchi, a biologist at Unesp, began analyzing large felines due to the increase in dog sightings in protected areas monitored by the research group, which raised concerns about the consequences for native fauna.

The puma was selected because it is adaptable to various habitats and has a generalist diet. Data from the camera traps show that dogs and pumas can use the same locations, but at different times. The puma does not completely abandon the environment, but rather reorganizes its spatial use over time to decrease the chances of encountering dogs.

Rodolpho Gonçalves da Silva, the study's first author, expressed surprise, as he expected the puma to command respect. He highlighted that the study revealed a subtle impact: the pumas take a long time to return to areas after the dogs pass.

The team analyzed records from 67 camera traps in the Santa Bárbara Ecological Station and the Águas de Santa Bárbara State Forest, in the interior of São Paulo, over almost a year (2014 to 2015). 300 events involving domestic dogs and 194 puma sightings were recorded. In 23 points, both species shared the same locations, allowing for a comparison of their habits. Dogs are predominantly diurnal and active during times of higher human circulation, while pumas maintain a crepuscular and nocturnal pattern, making encounters rare.

Rodolpho emphasized that this result marks a frequently ignored impact: the animal suffers consequences even without being injured. By ceasing to use a high-quality area, the animal expends more energy searching for food or uses a lower-quality environment, which reduces its quality of life. He introduced the concept of the 'landscape of fear,' where the mere possibility of risk alters routes, times, and feeding areas, even without direct conflict.

Avoidance Factors and Causes

Although the exact reasons are unknown, researchers suspect that the association of dogs with humans is a factor. Pumas tend to avoid areas with strong human influence (farms, roads, crops), possibly interpreting dogs as a sign of human presence. Rodolpho also considers confusion on the part of the pumas, given that dogs have not developed fear of them. Statistically, it was proven that the puma avoided returning after the dogs passed, unlike the pattern observed with dogs after the puma passed.

Bianchi adds that while an isolated dog does not represent a major risk, animals often form packs, increasing danger for the feline. The observed dogs do not reside in the conservation units but come from neighboring rural properties, roaming unsupervised. In addition to competition for food and attacks, these dogs can transmit diseases and act as vectors for native fauna, and vice versa.

Conservation Implications

The observed impacts are part of larger changes caused by human occupation, including agriculture, roads, and vegetation fragmentation. Rita Bianchi warns that in the interior of São Paulo, the remnants of Cerrado and Atlantic Forest are increasingly isolated. Although hunting has decreased, the growing presence of people, dogs, highways, and loss of vegetation represents a new pressure on pumas.

The authors clarify that dogs are not the 'villains'; the problem lies in human management. Therefore, they advocate for articulated public policies, such as spaying/neutering, electronic identification, vaccination, and environmental education, instead of focusing solely on removing animals from protected areas. Rodolpho concludes that education is fundamental, and work should be done with rural producers to raise awareness about the risks of releasing animals.

timesofindia.indiatimes.comJuly 26, 23:11

CPCB objects to new 'green' firecrackers due to the presence of a banned chemical

There is no consensus in India regarding the approval of commercial production of next-generation firecrackers, as two government agencies have taken opposing positions in the Supreme Court.

Positions of Expert Organizations

The Indian National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI) approved the new compositions, noting that they contribute to reducing pollution levels by 40–60%. However, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) objected, asserting that these firecrackers still contain barium nitrate—a chemical banned by the Supreme Court—and therefore cannot be permitted for use.

Requirements and Development Results

The Centre instructed CSIR-NEERI, in collaboration with firework manufacturers, to develop eco-friendly/low-emission pyrotechnic products with a reduction in pollution exceeding 50%. Subsequently, the Tamil Nadu Fireworks and Powder Manufacturers Association (TANFAMA) developed new compositions with reduced levels of barium salts/nitrates combined with other oxidizers to decrease particulate matter emissions by more than 50%.

According to the CSIR-NEERI report, the achieved reduction in PM10 and PM2.5 emissions was between 45% and 60%. The report recommended considering the commercial production of these low-emission fireworks for items such as flower pots, sparklers, chakkaris, pencils, and glittering stars, as well as their hybrids. Furthermore, the release of composite firecrackers known as 'ladis', which were previously banned by court order, was approved. The report indicated that composite firecrackers showed an approximate 30% reduction in particulate matter (PM) emissions and a 32% reduction in solid waste generation.

CPCB Objections

In response to the CSIR-NEERI report, CPCB expressed disagreement regarding the use of barium nitrate in firecrackers, as this component was prohibited by the highest court. The authority stated: 'This court, by its order dated October 23, 2018, directly prohibited the use of barium salts in firecrackers, and consequently, any formula including barium compounds, even in reduced quantities, contradicts this order.' Additionally, CPCB added that 'the reported reduction in PM10 and PM2.5 levels was not comparatively assessed against (i) improved low-emission firecrackers and (ii) 'green' firecrackers developed entirely without barium, making the claim incomplete and unconvincing.'

Ministry's Decision

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, finding itself between the conflicting opinions of the two expert bodies, filed a petition with the Supreme Court to draw the court's attention to the matter, leaving the decision to the discretion of the Supreme Court. The Ministry also informed the court that the composition of the new generation of firecrackers had been submitted to the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), the regulatory body for explosives, and PESO issued a certificate of no objection to the new firecracker composition.

noticiasaominuto.comJuly 26, 21:12

About 3,000 Portuguese residents are in the fire zone in France

Estimates suggest that about three thousand Portuguese people reside in the area affected by the fire in France. This information was provided to the Lusa agency by Valdemar Felix, who previously served as an advisor to the Portuguese community in the region and is currently a member of the Lormont city council.

Evacuation and Fire Situation

Despite attempts to contact Lusa, data on the number of Portuguese individuals already evacuated to shelters in the region could not be obtained. According to Valdemar Felix, the fight against the fire in southwestern France, whose eastern front is approximately 10 kilometers from Bordeaux, is proceeding 'very difficultly,' even with the involvement of French armed forces.

In the city where he is a council member, which is separated from the ignition points by a river, 80 children from a summer camp evacuated from the flame-affected area were placed there on Saturday. The Portuguese deputy described the situation: 'A column of smoke is visible at a distance of about 80 kilometers from Bordeaux, and the atmosphere is unbearable.'

Scale of the Disaster

According to Valdemar Felix, the region has turned into a 'war scenario,' with several roads being blocked, including the A63 highway connecting Bordeaux to Bayonne on the border with Spain. He noted that the French have never seen anything like this, believing such phenomena only occur in Portugal, Spain, and Greece, and expressed concern that the situation could worsen in the coming days when temperatures of around 40 degrees are expected in this part of France.

Overall Fire Situation

The fire in Gironde is currently the most serious in the fight in France, but there are also active hotspots in the departments of Var, Landes, on the island of Corsica, and in the High Alps region, among other areas. In Bordeaux, the French armed forces have allocated resources today to protect strategic industrial facilities, including gunpowder and missile factories, in case of possible fire advancement into this area.

The Ministry of the Armed Forces announced the deployment of 'specialists and resources' to ensure the security of industrial facilities (including gunpowder and missile factories) located in the western part of the region, which is currently experiencing a major fire in Gironde. This fire is destroying the area around the Arcachon Bay as preparations are made for the temperature increase scheduled for next Tuesday.