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Orphaned 9th Annual Cougars Contest Kittens in Mountain Moving Winner 3 East 4 Jackson 6 11 Lion Hole Workshop the summer 2008 COUGAR FUND could serve, as cougar refugia that would serve as biological “State Crisis”: savings accounts for cougar populations. In point of fact, the in management plan contains no substantive discussion of how Washington WDFW plans to meet its goal of conserving cougar populations. by Chris Papouchis Furthermore, although the plan stated that “Science is the core of wildlife management, the basis for achieving the agency’s man- date, and the foundation of this plan,” key aspects of the strategy In Washington, as in many western U.S. states, the management for cougar management are not supported by the best available of cougars has become highly politicized. Since voters approved scientific information. Notably, the plan provided no scientific evi- a 1996 ballot initiative that banned the hunting of cougar with dence to support WDFW’s claims that hunting and other cougar dogs, a major turf war has been waged over cougar policy. population reduction techniques improve public safety, reduce The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, anticipating cougar-livestock conflicts, or enhance deer and elk populations. declines in hunting opportunities and revenues as a result of the Moreover, the plan does not incorporate or even mention the hound ban, increased the number and reduced the cost of cougar findings of several Washington State University studies that hunting tags and extended the duration of the hunting season. suggest WDFW’s management strategies are not meeting their Rural politicians led a backlash against the stated objectives. For example, one WSU initiative in the state legislature, arguing study found that at a time when some that the ban resulted in an increased rate residents and politicians in Northeastern of conflicts and compromised public safety. Washington thought that cougar popula- Today, public opinion surveys and media tions and conflicts were increasing articles indicate that Washington residents occurred during a period that cougar are strongly divided about how cougars numbers were in fact declining. This and should be managed, and who should be other studies in Washington suggests that allowed to influence cougar policy. there is a disconnect between the best available science, public perception of This past April, WDFW released its plan cougar populations, and current manage- for cougar management in the state ment strategies, which is highly problem- through 2015. One of WDFW’s stated atic for our prospects for conserving goals for cougar management is to “pre- cougar populations in Washington. serve, protect, perpetuate, and manage Photo: Kenton Rowe cougar and their habitats to ensure healthy, productive popula- In short, there is a pressing need to improve cougar management tions.” Yet, the plan provides no discussion or analysis of the in Washington so that it reflects the best available scientific impacts of habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation on cougar information, addresses the diverse value demands of the public, populations in the state, or how the human-caused mortality will and ensures the long-term conservation of cougar populations influence cougar population viability and metapopulation dynam- throughout their range. ics. Moreover, it provides no inventory of areas that serve, or 20327_Newsletter:20327_Newsletter 7/18/08 4:44 PM Page 3
Dear Friends & Supporters of the Cougar Fund,
With a very long Wyoming winter behind us, we are of a major online communications initiative that will
finally enjoying our short-lived but brilliant summer be the definitive online resource for “All Things
from the days. The elk are in the high country, visitors to our Cougar”. Incorporating a timeline and the natural his- President neighboring national parks are at their height, and tory of the species along with first person storytelling cougar mothers with new cubs are busy providing for and lesson plans to use in the classroom or homeschool Cara Blessley Lowe
...there is still much work to be done on the public relations, science and education front, the Cougar Fund’s primary areas of focus.
their needy charges, keeping them fed setting are just the first few elements of this wide-
and moving them every few days. reaching program.
Imagine the 8 year-old girl in Oregon Listening to Cougar, the anthology fellow trustee and
who knew not to run when a cougar friend Marc Bekoff and I edited, is in its third print-
confronted her, and then watched ing, with a paperback edition due to come out this
later when her father shot the animal, autumn. A Spanish language version is also in the
or how the loss of cougars and other works. The success of this collection of writing
top predators in Yosemite has dramati- exhibits the keen public interest in Puma concolor and Photo: Sue Cedarholm cally affected key plant and animal populations in this how the public, with greater and better information,
popular national park. And then there is the image of can become active participants in conservation by
the 150-pound cougar shot and killed in the Roscoe choosing to safely and consciously co-exist with this
Village neighborhood of north Chicago, crime tape key carnivore.
stretched across the scene as they assess the fatal result
of several rounds of bullets fired by the police on this, With all the work that lies ahead of us, your contin-
the first cougar sighted in the Chicago area since the ued support and contributions are more appreciated
19th century. than ever. Thank you for your concern, and for doing
your part to Protect Americas’
News stories such as these remind us that there is still Greatest Cat. ™
much work to be done on the public relations, science
and education front, the Cougar Fund’s primary areas Cara Blessley Lowe
of focus. To that end, we are in the beginning phases Co-founder & President
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Are Cougars Photo: Thomas D. Mangelsen Moving Over-hunting in some areas coupled with an ever By nature, cougars are reclusive, preferring to avoid increasing human presence in cougar habitat has resulted contact with humans at all costs. They even avoid other East? in cougars being displaced and venturing into areas—such cougars, except during mating season. Cougar and human as suburban or even urban neighborhoods—that they interactions are extremely rare, but may occur as humans Comments on would traditionally prefer to avoid. venture further into cougar habitat, despite the fact that viable cougar populations were hunted to extinction the Chicago Because cougars are an often misunderstood and misrepre- throughout the east. Cougars are a self-regulating species, Cougar sented species, the Cougar Fund strives to ensure the determined by food, habitat and social order. The greatest integrity of information dispersed on the species in cause of mortality amongst cougars is human-related. hopes of promoting a better understanding of the animal. by It is with these efforts in mind that the Cougar Fund Only 19 people have been killed by cougars since 1900. comments on media stories involving cougars. There Compare this with a statistic from the National Safety Emorie Broemel 3 have been several human encounters this year, some Council which averages around 50 deaths each year by & Sara Carlson of which ended with relocation, while others ended contact with “wasps, bees, and hornets” or the over 5,500 with the cougar being killed. pedestrian-automobile deaths each year.
One of the most recent and nationally visible incidents Life, be it in the city or in the wilderness, is never with- involving a cougar in an urban area was the Chicago out risks. That such a reminder would be accompanied by cougar that was killed this April in the Roscoe Village this unfortunate outcome is not lost on those who value neighborhood. However, as many have expressed, this the presence of an intact and healthy ecosystem complete unfortunate scenario could have ended in a much different with large carnivores such as cougars. While we make way. The Cougar Fund agrees that in cases where a cat our choices and arrive at our conclusions as individuals, so is directly threatening humans, lethal removal is absolutely too do we as individuals contribute to a society that will appropriate and necessary to protect the people involved. collectively decide whether or not to leverage tolerance and understanding with the facts at hand. Yet, to pose an alternative scenario, when cougars are seen in California, a state with healthy cougar populations While there is the possibility of increased sightings in that does not allow sport hunting, local authorities work non-traditional areas, the Cougar Fund does not wish to Photo: Thomas D. Mangelsen with the state game agency and trained professionals propagate the sentiment that cougars are rapidly spreading such as local vets and animal control to remove the eastward or into urban areas as has been suggested by cougar from the area by tranquilizing and relocating it. some media coverage. Rather we would reiterate that The numerous sightings and reports to local Chicago cougars are a self-regulating and highly reclusive species. authorities in the hours leading up to the cougar’s death A single cougar requires a minimum of 50-100 square miles suggest that there was time to weigh alternatives that to breed, raise young, hunt and survive, however, that would have avoided ending the cougar’s life. With so need for space does not necessarily mean cougars many police officers available to offer protection to them- will continue to move eastward or into urban areas. selves and those around them, tranquilizing the cat should Sound cougar management policy and increased human have been considered first, lethal force second. care when present in cougar country will help ensure safety for both people and cougars. www.cougarfund.org 20327_Newsletter:20327_Newsletter 7/18/08 4:44 PM Page 5
An Orphaned Kitten’s Journey Photo: Brad Boner by Jackson Hole, a place where people who are wild about and Fish Office in Jackson once again extended the snow struggle to make a living and their wild cousins hand of respect and cooperation to the Cougar Fund by Penny Maldonado struggle simply to live through the cold dark months. seeking the Cougar Fund’s input in finding the best possible situation for the orphans. By coincidence, the Chahinkapa Zoo in North Dakota had recently contacted It has been a long, deep winter. A paradox of delight the Cougar Fund requesting leads about possible orphans at the “best powder ever” and despair as news of three because of the death of its male cougar. Too young to known starvation related cougar mortalities and an survive by themselves and too habituated to people by illegal matriarch kill surfaced within our relatively small their short sojourn around the Wilson township to be geographic area. good candidates for rehabilitation, after establishing that this facility met G&F requirements it became clear that Thus the scene was set for the seemingly more positive the next stop for the trio after Wheatland would be the news of a rescue and placement operation when three zoo in North Dakota. cougar kittens were left orphaned and wandered into Photo: Bob Smith residential Wilson in mid-March. This is the kind of story that we have come to expect, living as we do, “on the edge of wildness”, but it is not
This is the kind of story that we have come to expect, living as we do, “on the edge of wildness”, but it is not necessarily one with the archetypal “happy ending”...
It doesn’t take much for wildlife savvy Jacksonites to necessarily one with the archetypal “happy ending” as notice cougar kittens in their backyards, and soon no one would ever argue that captivity is the preferred Wyoming Game and Fish Department officials were option for any wild creature. on their way to investigate. Two kittens were captured together and transported to the Sybille Research Facility When I first started to research the subject, the idea was in Wheatland, WY before their more elusive sibling was to explore what options, if any, existed as destinations located and secured. for the cougar orphans. I wanted to identify the hierarchy of decision making, and to give you an idea of what life In Wyoming, as in most states, the state run Game and in the care of humans was going to be like. I discovered Fish Agency has jurisdiction over that state’s wildlife that the task was not going to be nearly as straightfor- unless it is a migratory bird or an endangered species, in ward as it seemed. What follows is an attempt to put which case USFWS has authority. While the decision into some perspective the complex and often chaotic for what to do is exclusively theirs, the staff at the Game interweaving of systems, regulations, or lack thereof, and
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options that form an indefatigable maze in the search for facts about wild It has been weeks since I started to explore the possibilities for the animal captivity in America today. orphaned kittens now that they have entered captivity in America. The Cougar Fund thought this would be a fairly simple comparison between The scope of the captivity dilemma is so vast, a brief history and some the choices of zoos and sanctuaries as destinations. What I discovered was statistics may help. The three Wilson kittens will actually be joining the an alarming nationwide lack of cohesive regulation between federal and approximately ten to fifteen thousand great cats living in captivity in the state law that allows the existence of a plethora of facilities from back US today. This figure is divided between many types of environments, yard “pseudo-sanctuaries” to hunting havens that call themselves sanctuar- including zoos, sanctuaries, preserves, research facilities, private wildlife ies. There is no single guideline that designates a facility as an appropriate centers, the entertainment industry, rehabilitation facilities and in home home. The membership organizations {AZA, ASA, TAOS} are just that, pet ownership. organizations where anyone can buy a membership and are not federally or state regulated. These groups’ only recourse to a facility they don’t You may already be asking, “Where did all these animals come from?” approve of is withdrawal of their “sticker” and, to be honest how many Well, to cut a long story short we really have to go back as far as the people does that really turn around at the gate? Romans as an example of mans’ desire to intimidate and entertain by caging wild cats as a symbol of status and power. Over the centuries the Each agency that may become responsible for finding a home for a wild accumulation of exotic animals increased and evolved through menageries, animal has its own method of selection. The Wyoming Game and Fish zoological gardens to zoos, circuses, roadside exhibits, mega dollar Vegas- relies on their state vet. USFWS lets their agents decide through their
A picture should now be emerging of the enormous competition that any orphaned cougar kitten faces when trying to find a safe captive haven.
style entertainment and theme parks. As the public became more enam- knowledge and networking of facilities among themselves and other 5 ored with these commercial ventures as a recreational destination and agents. Sanctuary directors that I spoke with said it is largely a matter of with the lure of baby animals in particular, breeding was encouraged that experience and “feel”. It’s what you DON’T see. Is the facility closed off? resulted in many surplus and non-commercially attractive animals. Is it run down? Do administrators make excuses? How are the conditions of the animals? Is there an independent board of directors? Basically there The unregulated growth of personal ownership of big cats often leads to is no substitute for having someone visit the facility before a recommenda- tragedy as people realize too late that the cute kitten they purchased over tion to place an animal. The danger of the system as it stands is that once the internet for the same price as a pedigreed dog grows up, eats twelve an animal enters in it can conceivably end up anywhere from a zoo to a pounds of meat per day, destroys their house, attacks their neighbor’s canned hunt. toddler and is instinctively feral. A number of groups and membership associations that support and politically lobby for the right to private I can think of no better ending than a quotation from the Cougar Fund’s ownership of wild felids are available to offer their expertise. own board member Marc Bekoff who on Earth Day 2008, told the Unfortunately, it doesn’t matter how professional and accurate and Tallahassee Democrat “There’s a huge paradigm shift happening. Most well-researched these organizations are, or however much they advocate people don’t want to see animals in cages now. They are more demanding and expound the ideal of responsible wild animal ownership—they cannot of zoos in terms of ethical standards. That more sanctuaries are springing deny or prevent the number of cases where a failed pet, usually a hungry up instead of roadside zoos is a good thing. But sanctuaries vary just like rambunctious juvenile, has no home. zoos. There are good sanctuaries and bad sanctuaries. The good ones give the animals the very very best they can.” There has been an increase in a genre know as “edutainment” where sup- posedly tamed cats are taken to public venues where they can interact—for a fee—and for photo purposes with the public. This is apparently a chance to teach people about the plight of the planet. Visits to schools, fundrais- To read this article in its entirety, please visit our website at ers, etcetera using kittens as props obviously requires a supply of kittens, www.cougarfund.org so, as they grow we yet again find hungry rambunctious juveniles in search of a home.
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Photo Contest Winner ongratulations to Jesse Varnado, the winner of our Winter Newsletter photo contest! C Jesse submitted his prize-winning photo to the Cougar Fund and received $100 for his shot of this cougar in the wild.
Evaluation of Reliable information on populations is essential for those hair samples. This study was conducted in conjunc- the successful conservation and management of many tion with the Yellowstone Cougar Project, a long-term Non-invasive carnivore species. Carnivores such as cougars Puma research project on cougars in Yellowstone National Park. concolor are particularly difficult to study due to their We compared the effectiveness of the two collection Genetic Sampling large home range sizes, low densities and secretive nature. methods to obtain hair samples and produce accurate Methods for The conventional method is time-consuming, expensive individual identifications and gender. We also evaluated and logistically difficult. For difficult-to-study species the accuracy of the noninvasive genotype by comparing Cougars Using a such as cougars, noninvasive genetic monitoring may be a them to genotypes from blood and tissue samples collected Radio-Collared useful alternative. DNA extracted from hair or scat can during cougar capture. The results from this study show be used to identify individuals, determine genders and that snow tracking is a better method than hair snaring Population relationships, examine patterns of gene flow and estimate for collecting hair samples in YNP and the genetic data population size. The ability to identify individuals from generated from these samples produced accurate individual in Yellowstone samples collected through noninvasive sampling method identifications and genders. National Park. provides many opportunities for developing population- monitoring tools, but the utility of these survey methods To read about more about this research, please visit is dependent upon the collection of samples and the accu- www.cougarfund.org. by rate genotyping of those samples. Michael A. Sawaya, Michael A. Sawaya, Hornocker Wildlife Institute / In January 2003, we initiated a three-year study to evaluate Wildlife Conservation Society, Ecology Department – Toni K. Ruth & Montana State University the merits of noninvasive genetic sampling methods for Toni K. Ruth, Hornocker Wildlife Institute / Steven T. Kalinowski monitoring cougar populations in Yellowstone National Wildlife Conservation Society Park (YNP), USA. The goals of this study were to devel- Steven T. Kalinowski, Ecology Department – op a noninvasive hair sampling method for cougars and to Montana State University examine the reliability of the genetic data derived from
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Toni K. Ruth is a Wildlife Research Scientist with the two graduate student projects and served on the steering Selway Institute established and directed by Dr. Maurice committee for the 9th Mountain Lion Workshop in Hornocker. As a young girl, Toni grew up in the outdoors, May 2008. She also serves as Secretary of the Board for Heros frequently going on family camping and fishing trips and the non-profit Salmon Valley Stewardship, a group that often spent time reading while perched in the top of an works to promote a healthy environment and a sustain- of the oak tree. Her high school able economy in Lemhi hopes of becoming a marine County, Idaho. Cougar biologist evolved into a Bachelor’s of Science degree Toni is currently working World: in wildlife from the School on analyzing data, writing of Forest and Resource manuscripts, and writing Conservation at the a book on cougar ecology Toni K. Ruth University of Florida. Soon and interactions with other after her experience on the carnivores in the Northern Panther Project, Toni began Yellowstone Ecosystem. Photo: HWI /WCS research investigating cougar She hopes to continue behavior in and near human recreational development in working on integrated multispecies approaches to provide Big Bend National Park. This research resulted in a sound scientific research on which to base conservation Master’s degree in Wildlife Science from Texas A&M decisions in human dominated landscapes, as well as 7 University and provided an alternative management plan to make educational contributions at a local and communi- for cougars in Big Bend National Park. Between 1998 and ty level. Toni feels “connected to the communities 2006, she was the project leader researching the effects of I have lived in through my knowledge of cougars and wolf reestablishment on the cougar population in what they have taught me. Interestingly, my life has
Photo: HWI /WCS Yellowstone National Park. mirrored my initial fascination at the variety of habitats cougars are adapted to. In this regard I have been fortunate Since then, she has studied cougar populations in Texas, to study them in these various environs. My biggest New Mexico, Montana, and Idaho. She previously worked thrills still come from finding a cougar track in the snow, with the Hornocker Wildlife Institute for 11 years and the desert sand, or mud and knowing that a cougar could be Wildlife Conservation Society for 5 years. Toni oversees watching me nearby!”
TheCougarFundWelcomesEmorieBroemel, Communications Coordinator
A native Tennessean, Emorie graduated from the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee with a B.A. in Political Science. Prior to graduating, she held an internship with United States Congressman Jim Cooper as well as completed an honors thesis in the Political Science department. She spent a summer in Jackson before moving to the area permanently in 2007. Emorie joined the Cougar Fund in 2008 and enjoys hiking, Italian cooking, and yoga in her free time. 20327_Newsletter:20327_Newsletter 7/18/08 4:44 PM Page 9
Arizona: Cougars have been legislatively a whole include habitat loss, habitat degradation, classified as a big game animal in Arizona since 1970. and habitat fragmentation. There is no record of a The State currently maintains a harvest of between Florida panther attacking a person. 250-300 cougars each year and maintains a bag limit quota for cougars in areas with translocated bighorn Idaho: The Idaho Department of Fish & Game sheep or declining bighorn sheep and mule deer believes that the hound hunting of cougars still to encourage site specific sport harvest by hunters. account for 80% of all cougar mortality. Recently State The state reports that new regulations for the state the state made it mandatory for hunters to submit a include a required carcass check-out by all successful tooth from all harvested animals to document age. cougar hunters, collection of a tooth for aging Cougar populations appear to be more closely tied of the and a reduction of the hunting season from 12 to 9 to elk and deer populations than originally thought, months. There is also a new wildlife conflict since as elk populations in North Central Idaho response protocol, which aims to increase consistency declined, so to did the harvest of lions. There has States in management and public safety by breaking been more interest and concern regarding the cougar behavior down into 2 categories: acceptable orphaning of kittens in the state, as well as sightings or unacceptable. of cougars in urban settings.
California: There is no sport-hunting season Montana: The total harvest of cougars in An Update for Cougars in the state of California. In 1990 Montana in 2007 was 309, which represent a slight cougars were legally classified as a “specially increase. 70% of cougar permits offered were filled on Cougar protected mammal” by the passage of a voter with 20% of those being female. The Missoula initiative (Proposition 117). Prior to that initiative, region will begin using limited entry permit hunting Management from 1987-1990, cougars were classified as “game for cougars in 2008. This limited entry partly aims Across mammals,” although no hunting season was conduct- to reduce the large number of non-resident hunters ed during that time. Cougars may only be killed in MT, which has resulted in gross over-commercial- the West. if a depredation permit is issued after sight ization of the species. This year the state hired a verification and with a request from the landowner. cougar conflict specialist, which has proven extreme- The number of depredation permits had dropped ly helpful. The number of cougars in the state, off, but increased again in 2007. The number of whether raised or lowered, did not positively or neg- public safety threats posed by cougars was very atively affect conflicts throughout the state. This low and incidents have fallen. Officials state that coming year, MT is planning on completing and pub- an informed public was the most effective solution lishing the Garnet Mountain Puma Research Project to combating the fear of a cougar encounter. and updating the 1996 Puma Management Plan.
Colorado: Since 1965, cougars have been classified Nevada: The state notes that the addition of as Big Game in Colorado. Harvest is managed using a locally abundant alternative prey such as elk, harvest limit quota system without female sub-quotas. bighorn sheep, and wild horses, the lion population Hunters may take one lion of either sex each season. continues to remain stable to increasing, despite a Officials believe that quotas that are too low lead decrease in deer numbers beginning in the late 1980s. hunters to be less selective, therefore caring less Since 2003 DNA in the form of muscle samples have about which sex they take. New gender identification been collected from harvested cougars, as well as education aids hunter’s ability to refrain from taking the first premolar to determine age. Legislation was females. Colorado is working to manage successfully proposed, then defeated in 2007 that declared an at the urban wild-land interface and balance diver- open season on cougars with no restriction on how, Photo: Kenton Rowe gent perspectives towards lion management. when or how many cougars could be killed. Nevada is the only state that maintains a policy of refunding Florida: Although the Florida panther has long the cost of tags to “unsuccessful” hunters. been considered a unique subspecies of cougar, a genetic study of cougar mitochondrial DNA finds New Mexico: The New Mexico Department that many of the supposed subspecies are too similar of the Game & Fish states that a variety of hunting to be recognized as distinct, which results in the structures over the years has evolved into the classification of the Florida Panther as one species, current dual hunting season of yearlong seasons the North American Cougar Puma concolor. (April – March) on private lands and a 6 months Biologists estimate roughly 80-100 Florida panthers (October – March) season on public lands. The bag remain in the wild, and a majority of them live limit is one cougar; exceptions include a two cougar in the southwest portion of Florida. Southern bag limit and yearlong seasons on public lands in Florida is a fast-developing area, and declining certain management units. In 1999, the Department habitat threatens this species. The two highest causes initiated a zone management structure with harvest of mortality for the Florida panther are automobile limits, which continues today. The Department con- injuries and aggression between panthers for tinues to look at habitat-based models for improved territory. The primary threats to the population as precision and management utility. www.cougarfund.org 20327_Newsletter:20327_Newsletter 7/18/08 4:44 PM Page 10
WA North Dakota: As of August 2007, the North Dakota Game & Fish Department expanded the state’s hunting season and created MT two new zones for hunting cougars – one zone with a limit of ND five (5) cougars and the other with no restrictions on how many OR cougars can be killed at all! Statewide, 6 cougars (one male SD and five females) were killed and 10 cougars (7 males and ID 3 females) died from non-harvest mortality. Only 4 years WY ago did the state acknowledge that there might be viable cougar populations, which are only based on sightings from the public. It was then that the NDG&F implemented an “experimental” hunting season with a statewide limit of five. NV Cougars killed by the department or private landowners, as UT CO well as road kill, incidental deaths by trapping or lions taken on CA Indian lands are not counted towards harvest objective quotas.
Oregon: A law signed on June 27th, 2007 brought back hound-hunting of cougars which essentially overturned a measure enacted by voters in 1994 that prohibits the use of packs of hounds AZ NM to hunt cougars. The new law permits the agency to train citizens to act as "agents" on its behalf, and to use their hounds to hunt cougars. If the number of cougars drops to 3,000 or less, as deter- mined by surveys, then the hunts will stop. The goal of this new predator management law in conjunction with Oregon’s Cougar Management Plan is to plans. After an informal survey of TX kill cougars that might attack people or livestock. Scientists say the 453 cougar hunters in the state, they new law may have the opposite of its intended effect. Hunting in found most hunters surveyed felt the cougar that state actually led to more cougars--and more complaints about population was down. All cougar complaints problem animals. In recent months, the state has made changes in are handled under the guidance of a Nuisance Cougar recording and reporting harvest information. Hunting rates are up, Complaint policy. Most cougar conflicts are handled through coincidental with deer and elk harvests, however more deer and elk lethal control. 9 hunters have been targeting cougars because Oregon offers the “sports pac” license, which grants tags for black bear, a general Washington: On March 13, 2008, Washington House Bill 2438 cougar tag, one elk, one deer, upland game bird validation, Oregon was signed allowing a cougar pursuit/ kill season with dogs to con- waterfowl validation, spring turkey and combined angling harvest tinue for 3 additional years, for a total of 7 years as part of a contin- tag for $130. Residents are charged $10.00 for a general cougar tag. uing pilot program. Washington claims it is currently conducting research on a variety of projects including population size, survival, South Dakota: In 2005, the South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks and change in predation events. In addition, the state conducted a removed the cougar from the state’s threatened and endangered public opinion survey of resident attitudes towards cougars/ manage- species list. Now, despite the lack of data and scientific evidence that ment. Currently there is a proposed test (sex/ age ID) on the table reflects actual population numbers, a legislative committee approved before licenses are granted, which can be taken on-line. Reportedly the SDGF&P Commission’s plan to increase the number of cougars 26 orphaned kittens were confirmed in the last four years. that can be killed to 35, with no more than 15 females being shot. In 2006, the maximum number of lions that could be killed was 25, Wyoming: In 2006 the Wyoming Game & Fish revised the with no more than 8 females shot. Only residents are able to obtain cougar management plan by incorporating scenarios aimed at adap- a license at a fee of $15.00. tively managing specific hunt areas and management units related to source, sink or stable population levels. Wyoming now delineates Texas: There is currently an open season on cougars in Texas. 31 hunt areas that are grouped into 5 management units. Beginning Texas Parks & Wildlife do not have population estimates and in hunt year 2007, all human caused mortalities now count towards rely on sighting, whether verified or not. The state claims that the annual quota. The Department does not estimate cougar popula- the population of cougars in Texas is steadily increasing, despite tions; rather, population trends are assessed through sex and age the loss of habitat and fragmentation that is occurring throughout composition of harvest data. While field research provided by out- the state. Long-term effective population size for cougars in Texas side organizations indicated a decline in female populations, as well was estimated to be 5,607 animals using ecological niche modeling as a decline in recruitment in northwest Wyoming, the Department to estimate distribution. did not implement a lower female sub quota or reduce hunt quotas to reflect the data. The Wyoming Game & Fish conducts statewide Utah: The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources states that in information and education related to living in cougar country annu- 1999, the Division completed the Utah Cougar Management Plan. ally and provides cougar specific hunter education on their website. This plan was developed with the assistance of a public based Cougar Discussion Group, which will guide management for If you have updated information in your state, cougars through 2009. The Division manages to sustain cougar we would be interested in hearing from you. densities on all management units except those that have approved Contact the Cougar Fund at [email protected]. www.cougarfund.org 20327_Newsletter:20327_Newsletter 7/18/08 4:44 PM Page 11
The Cougar Fund is proud to announce the launching Constant and expanding pressure on cougar habitat in the of our new online communication, education and public form of development, residential and recreational use and awareness initiative that will merge our public awareness ongoing landscape fragmentation by roads and other campaigns with an educational push to engage students human incursions apply direct pressure to the species’ The and teachers and provide needed information to the many long-term survival. By closing the gap in communications stakeholders involved with cougar issues. among key stakeholders and providing an empowering Cougar experience to landowners, residents, outdoor enthusiasts, This project will fill a crucial niche and deliver a much- students and scientists, this initiative will be effective in needed service that no other organization currently pro- replacing long-standing myths with facts. Fund vides. Educators, state agencies, activists, county planning commis- Ultimately this initiative aims to Projects & sions, conservation volunteers and garner a greater empathy and respect other NGOs will have ongoing for a species that plays a key role Programs access to the most current materials in ecosystems, and whose long-term provided through this initiative. survival is increasingly challenged Some of the many core elements of by humans and their impacts. Photo: Bob Smith Online this program will include K-12 edu- Puma concolor will persist into the Communication, cational materials, a complete natural history of the future only to the extent that human beings choose to cougar, an information clearinghouse to include all adjust these behaviors accordingly. As a result, cougars Education and past and present cougar field research, a citizens’ action will face a far better future for decades to come. packet, a cougar field guide, a graphic interactive that Public Awareness explains cougars’ effects on the landscape, and how The Cougar Fund is still actively raising funds for this Initiative human choices impact the cougar’s long term chances exciting and meaningful online initiative. If you would of survival. There will also be an archive of the like to help support this specific program, please mention Cougar Fund’s short films and advocacy materials for the public awareness and education initiative in your classroom, public and individual use. next donation or contact The Cougar Fund by phone or email today!
Visit www.cougarfund.org to see the latest changes.
Colorado This spring, a group of Colorado elementary students at Hyland Christian School in Westminster held a Elementary fundraiser to “save the cats.” To raise money for cougar conservation, the children—ages 7 to 12—drew a tree and Students a cougar on poster board, then sold leaves for fifty-cents to cover the tree. Through their efforts, the kids raised Raise $107.00 that they generously donated to the Cougar Fund! Money for The Cougar Fund would like to thank Jeremy, Garret, Tim, Emmy, Guy, Heidi, Logan, Lydia, and Josiah for their hard work and care for the cougars. Jeremy told Cougars the Cougar Fund, “We hope this money helps!”—yes, it Photo: Rebekah SunderRaj surely does! www.cougarfund.org 20327_Newsletter:20327_Newsletter 7/18/08 4:44 PM Page 12
The 9th Annual Mountain Lion Workshop, hosted by During the Mountain Lion Workshop, renowned big cat the Idaho Department of Fish & Game, took place in expert Maurice Hornocker spoke at a banquet held in his Sun Valley, Idaho on May 5-8, 2008. The annual work- honor where he received a Lifetime Achievement Award. shop is designed to provide a forum for researchers, Wilber Wiles, fellow assistant/houndsmen and friend of Ninth managers and others to exchange information about Hornocker, was also honored at the banquet where he new research and management received the Idaho Conservation Award. Annual techniques. This year’s theme was Hornocker and his students at the Mountain “Cougars: Past, Present and Future University of Idaho carried out the Challenges.” As the body of scien- very first initial cougar research efforts Lion tific information about cougars in the 1960s. As a result of this work, grows, so do the challenges facing mountain lions were given greater Workshop wildlife managers. Representatives respect by both game managers and from game agencies, as well as the public. Hornocker, a wildlife biologist from various organiza- biologist and one of the world’s foremost tions, come together during these authorities on the great cats, pioneered workshops to present the latest the use of radio telemetry to conduct scientific information and to share current state cougar field studies of cougars and jaguars. Maurice Hornocker management procedures and information. is the director of the Hornocker Wildlife Institute at the University of Idaho. 11 Monthly Giving Circle The Cougar Fund would like to recognize our two long time “Monthly Giving Circle” members, Ms. Charlotte Heldstab and Mrs. Shirley Galle. Each month, these members generously give to show their support for our programming as we continue our work and extend our efforts to the growing need for sound science in wildlife management and the spirit of a well-educated public who can demand such expertise from those officials charged with conserving our wildlife resources. Every gift counts in the effort to help “Protect Americas’ Greatest Cat™.” To join the Cougar Fund or renew your membership, please visit www.cougarfund.org or call 307.733.0797 Cougar Kitten Cookies These feisty feline delights are the cat’s meow because you bake them up fast with refrigerated dough. INGREDIENTS DIRECTIONS 1 roll (16.5 oz) refrigerated chocolate chip cookies 1. Place cookie dough in freezer at least 1 hour. 1/3 cup candy-coated chocolate pieces (72) 2. Heat oven to 350°F. Cut cookie dough into 24 slices. On ungreased 2/3 cup pecan halves (48) cookie sheets, place slices 3 inches apart. For ears, press 2 pecan halves onto top of each cookie, overlapping edge of cookie. For eyes and 48 thin pretzel sticks nose, press in candy pieces. For whiskers, place 2 pretzel pieces on (each 2 1/2 inches long), halved each side of nose; press in slightly. 3. Bake 11 to 13 minutes or until golden brown. Makes: 2 dozen cookies Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks. Thanks to Charlotte Heldstab for this Recipe! *High Altitude (3500-6500 ft): Bake 9 to 11 minutes.
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Listening to Cougar
Listening to Cougar was published in December 2007 to an enthusiastic response from readers and wildlife lovers all over the country. A Spanish language version is being developed, and the book is now in it’s third printing, with a paperback edition due to come out this autumn.
The storytellers in this collection of essays are outdoor enthusiasts, biologists, spiritual seekers, writers—even hunters. Some speak from personal contact with mountain lions; others explore the animal’s role in nature and American Indian folklore. Whatever their genesis, the stories all promote peaceful co-existence by appealing to human tolerance and understanding of what this animal’s absence would mean to the ecosystem and to the human soul. - Santa Fe - New Mexican
This excellent and compelling collection of primarily personal essays by conservationists on their encounters with cougars successfully gives voice to a “controversial” animal. In “The Growl,” naturalist Steve Edwards traces his jour- ney from fear, after finding a cougar under his cabin, to collaboration, as he helps what he dubs the “innocent” ani- mal avoid being killed by state police. Cougar expert David Stoner describes in detail how the animals live in the Colorado Plateau, which he calls one of the most rugged and least accessible landscapes left in North America, while American Indian expert Steve Pavlik examines the role of the cougar in Navajo mythology, emphasizing the impor- tance of mountain lion beliefs and practices in traditional culture. But most notable are those essays that explore the “psychological value” of cougars, exemplified by teacher and activist Suzanne Duarte’s “My Bush Soul, the Mountain Lion,” a beautiful evocation of and tribute to her experience with the spirit of the mountain lion and how it began her initiation into the “deeper secrets of the psyche.” With its wide range of scientific and cultural approaches, this impressive collection will help to shed light on America’s greatest cat. - Publishers Weekly Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Contributors include: Rick Bass, Marc Bekoff, Janay Brun, Julia B. Corbett, Deanna Dawn, J. Frank Dobie, Suzanne Duarte, Steve Edwards, Joan Fox, Gary Gildner, Wendy Keefover-Ring, Ted Kerasote, Christina Kohlruss, Barry Lopez, BK Loren, Cara Blessley Lowe, Steve Pavlik, David Stoner, and Linda Sweanor.
Staff: Sara L. Carlson Program Director [email protected] Emorie D. Broemel Communications Coordinator [email protected]
BOARD OF DIRECTORS: ADVISORY BOARD: 307.733.0797 Cara Blessley Lowe Dr. Susan G. Clark www.cougarfund.org President & Co-Founder Dr. Brett G. Dickson Thomas D. Mangelsen PO Box 122 Co-Founder Ted Kerasote Jackson, WY 83001 Dr. Rick Hopkins Linda L. Sweanor, M.S. Secretary Printed on recycled paper Webb Blessley Treasurer Dr. Marc Bekoff Howard W. Buffett Dr. Jane Goodall Dr. Rick Hopkins Patricio Robles Gil Corey Rutledge, Esq. John E. Swallow