Variações no tamanho de grupo de capivaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) e ocorrência de carrapatos no Parque do Sabiá, em Uberlândia, Minas Gerais.

Abstract

The close coexistence between capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) and the human population in urban environments generates conflicts, making it necessary to monitor areas where these animals form large groups. One such conflict is the risk of tick bites and the transmission of diseases such as Brazilian Spotted Fever (BSF), which is highly lethal to humans. Therefore, it is important to understand how capybaras use space in urban parks, their population dynamics, and the levels of tick infestation, in order to assess risks and develop effective strategies. In this study, we monitored a group of capybaras in an urban park l of Uberlândia-MG (Parque do Sabiá), which serves as a recreational and sports space for visitors. We evaluated the population variation of capybaras over one year of monitoring. The number of individuals decreased — an outcome inconsistent with the species’ reproductive characteristics. Ticks associated with capybaras were found in their areas of use and very close to the restriction fences between human and animals, as well as in accessible zones to park visitors. These findings suggest a potential risk of tick bites.