DOCSLIB.ORG

The Mountain Lion Does Not Require a Cave to Raise a Populations

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Mountain Lion Does Not Require a Cave to Raise a Populations There are two distinct and fairly isolated populations dispersals for juvenile females. Adult male Some signs of mountain lion presence include large within the United States, one is in the Florida territories will rarely overlap another male's territory tracks (3-5 inches wide) without claw marks; food Everglades, i.e., the Florida Panther (puma concolor but may overlap several female territories. caches, where a kill has been partially eaten and coryi) and the other is located throughout the Adult female territories may overlap to some extent then covered with brush and dirt; scrapes in soft dirt mountain west. and adult females may be accompanied by kittens or leaf litter, and claw marked trees & logs. but normally female lions do not associate with In the 48 contiguous states, 27 states have had other adult animals except for mating purposes. physical evidence of mountain lions in the past 18 years and 16 states now have established The mountain lion does not require a cave to raise a populations. While mountain lions are usually litter. The average litter size is two kittens, but, absent from areas heavily impacted by human litter sizes of three, four and as large as six have development, urban sprawl and shrinking habitat are been found. Kittens are born yellowish brown with increasing the number of conflicts between humans irregular rows of black spots. Mountain lions may and mountain lions. Although there is little physical breed at any time of the year and consequently evidence of mountain lions in states east of the litters may be born in any month although summer Missouri river other than Florida, it is believed that is considered the peak period of kitten births. Young mountain lions are increasing in population and are remain with the mother for 15 to 22 months Older Lion print Cell photo courtesy Matthew once again returning to their historic territories. learning the skills necessary for survival. Lucas Mountain lions are well adapted to a wide range of Mountain lions are often just passing through, but Lion Prints from the Nebraska Pine Ridge 2008 environments, mostly rugged, and among those are may visit an area to get food, water, or shelter and (Hand width @ base of fingers: 3.5 inches) coniferous or deciduous forests, deserts, mountains, may return repeatedly if these items are available. If badlands, rain forest, and swamp areas. To survive food, water, and shelter are not available, mountain cougars have three main requirements: cover; lions generally move on to other areas more quickly. Physical Characteristics enough large prey (most commonly deer), and space. If these are not available, mountain lions The mountain lion diet consists primarily of deer generally move on to other areas quickly. Lions will (both whitetail deer and/or mule deer), but their • COLOR: Tan or reddish brown to dusky or slate gray coat use washes, draws, and river/creek drainages to natural diet will also include a wide variety of other Mountain Lion track graphic courtesy of Nebraska TAIL LENGTH: 24- to 36-inch tail, or move through populated areas to more remote animals, including elk and bighorn sheep, and Game and Parks Commission website: • about 2/3 of body length, white underneath areas and occasionally may even venture onto the smaller wildlife species such as rabbit, turkey, http://outdoornebraska.ne.gov/wildlife/mountainlion with a dark brown or black tip plains. Such movements are necessary to prevent raccoon and porcupine. WEIGHT: 60-180 pounds (males usually problems with inbreeding and local extinction Note: The 3-lobed heel pad print is visible in the • up to 40% larger than females) associated with habitat fragmentation. An example Lion Kill Characteristics track below of an isolated population would be the Florida • HEIGHT: 25-32 inches tall at the shoulder Panther. (similar to a German shepherd dog) Mountain lions kill large prey species with regularity, • LENGTH: 5 1/2 to more than 8 feet long usually one deer-sized animal is killed every six to As very specialized top predators, these animals • LIFE SPAN: Live up to 13 years in the 12 days. Considerable skill to stalk and kill prey is consequently do not normally exist in high wild, and up to 20 years in captivity required to avoid debilitating injury to the lion. concentrations and are usually solitary, unless it is a • Can jump 20 feet vertically and 40 feet female with young. Territorially they maintain horizontally in a single bound. Walking A lion kill will often have puncture wounds on the spatial separation between each other, thereby speed 10 mph, running speed 50 mph back of the neck or head, where the lion frequently assuring each individual has the resources necessary • Rarely make vocal noises, unless during bites the animal. There may also be other puncture to survive. If these separations are not maintained, breeding season or when threatened injuries to the neck and jugular areas. Lions do not mountain lions will kill each other, the natural • Territory sizes range from 25 to 700 square chew ears off a carcass and will begin eating in the method of population regulation for undisturbed miles; males range more widely than stomach area directly behind the ribs. Lions will try populations. females to pluck or trim the hair from around the area where • In general, the distribution of mountain they first start to feed. The cryptic system of boundary marking employed lions corresponds with the distribution of its by resident mountain lions serves to provide for major prey species, deer (both whitetail Mountain lions often attempt to cover the uneaten mutual avoidance and survival. The cryptic system deer and/or mule deer). This is not true for portion of a kill with leaves, sticks, dirt, snow or utilizes one, some, or all of the following actions the eastern half of the US where mountain other debris. An entire deer can be consumed in two Young Lion print Cell photo courtesy Matthew usually done repeatedly over time within a territory: lions have been eliminated. Lion natural nights. A lion with a large territory to defend may Lucas scrapes, urination, defecation, or rubbing (which is diets will also include a wide variety of make several kills as it travels from one area to the done with the face and/or flank) on an object. other animals, such as elk, bighorn sheep, next while patrolling and defending his territory. A rabbit, turkey, raccoon and porcupine. conscientious observer is usually able to detect the Essentially solitary animals, as juveniles, males tend presence of mountain lion in an area through the to disperse longer distances searching for new Although considered predators capable of seriously presence of tracks, scrapes, scat, kills, or other sign. territory as compared to the relatively short injuring or killing humans, mountain lion attacks on humans are extremely rare but do occasionally • Report all mountain lion attacks to 911. Report Remember, It is important to occur. Normally shy and elusive, people don’t often all mountain lion encounters, attacks, plus Mountain Lions see them, but, conflicts can happen when a sightings in urban areas, to both local keep wildlife wild: live in the mountain lion has become accustomed to people, authorities and game management. Also call such as when a lion hunts near where people live or game management authorities if severe Nebraska Panhandle recreate, and when lions kill livestock or other property damage has occurred or if there is • Remove whatever will attract domestic animals. possession of a live mountain lion. mountain lions. In North America, roughly 25 fatalities and 95 • If people regularly see a mountain lion nonfatal attacks have been reported during the past If you live in mountain lion in a particular area, it may mean the 100 years. However, more attacks have been country, around your home – reported in the western United States and Canada animal represents a public safety risk. over the past 20 years than in the previous 80. The DO: • In some cases, the local wildlife risk of a mountain lion attack is small, but real; authorities may remove a mountain children are most at risk. • Make noise when you’re outside. • Avoid feeding wildlife lions might consider a lion that presents an imminent threat If you live or recreate in lion country, remain aware prey species. By feeding deer, elk, turkey or to human safety. of your surroundings and take steps to minimize other wildlife in your yard, you may risks to yourself, your family, and pets. inadvertently attract the mountain lions which prey upon them. If you should have an • Trim landscaping around your home. Remove dense and low-lying vegetation especially encounter with a mountain around children’s play areas as this can provide lion: good hiding places for mountain lions and other predators, • Closely supervise children whenever they play • Do not approach the animal. Most mountain outdoors, especially in rugged country between lions will try to avoid a confrontation. dusk and dawn and at night. • Give them a way to escape. • Talk with children about mountain lions and • Do not run from a mountain lion. Stand and teach them what to do if they encounter one. face the animal. Running may stimulate the • Keep dogs, cats, poultry, rabbits, rodents and mountain lion’s instinct to chase. other domestic animals indoors in a secure • Make and maintain eye contact and slowly back building or in a secure enclosure with a sturdy away toward a building, vehicle, or busy area. roof. Always walk pets on a leash. Roaming • Stay calm and speak loudly and firmly. pets are easy prey for hungry mountain lions For on-line information on • Remain standing and face the animal.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • 2021 Fur Harvester Digest 3 SEASON DATES and BAG LIMITS
    2021 Michigan Fur Harvester Digest RAP (Report All Poaching): Call or Text (800) 292-7800 Michigan.gov/Trapping Table of Contents Furbearer Management ...................................................................3 Season Dates and Bag Limits ..........................................................4 License Types and Fees ....................................................................6 License Types and Fees by Age .......................................................6 Purchasing a License .......................................................................6 Apprentice & Youth Hunting .............................................................9 Fur Harvester License .....................................................................10 Kill Tags, Registration, and Incidental Catch .................................11 When and Where to Hunt/Trap ...................................................... 14 Hunting Hours and Zone Boundaries .............................................14 Hunting and Trapping on Public Land ............................................18 Safety Zones, Right-of-Ways, Waterways .......................................20 Hunting and Trapping on Private Land ...........................................20 Equipment and Fur Harvester Rules ............................................. 21 Use of Bait When Hunting and Trapping ........................................21 Hunting with Dogs ...........................................................................21 Equipment Regulations ...................................................................22
    [Show full text]
  • Educator's Guide
    Educator’s Guide the jill and lewis bernard family Hall of north american mammals inside: • Suggestions to Help You come prepared • essential questions for Student Inquiry • Strategies for teaching in the exhibition • map of the Exhibition • online resources for the Classroom • Correlations to science framework • glossary amnh.org/namammals Essential QUESTIONS Who are — and who were — the North as tundra, winters are cold, long, and dark, the growing season American Mammals? is extremely short, and precipitation is low. In contrast, the abundant precipitation and year-round warmth of tropical All mammals on Earth share a common ancestor and and subtropical forests provide optimal growing conditions represent many millions of years of evolution. Most of those that support the greatest diversity of species worldwide. in this hall arose as distinct species in the relatively recent Florida and Mexico contain some subtropical forest. In the past. Their ancestors reached North America at different boreal forest that covers a huge expanse of the continent’s times. Some entered from the north along the Bering land northern latitudes, winters are dry and severe, summers moist bridge, which was intermittently exposed by low sea levels and short, and temperatures between the two range widely. during the Pleistocene (2,588,000 to 11,700 years ago). Desert and scrublands are dry and generally warm through- These migrants included relatives of New World cats (e.g. out the year, with temperatures that may exceed 100°F and dip sabertooth, jaguar), certain rodents, musk ox, at least two by 30 degrees at night. kinds of elephants (e.g.
    [Show full text]
  • MPCP-Q3-Report-Webversion.Pdf
    MARA PREDATOR CONSERVATION PROGRAMME QUARTERLY REPORT JULY - SEPT 2018 MARA PREDATOR CONSERVATION PROGRAMME Q3 REPORT 2018 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY During this quarter we started our second lion & cheetah survey of 2018, making it our 9th consecutive time (2x3 months per year) we conduct such surveys. We have now included Enoonkishu Conservancy to our study area. It is only when repeat surveys are conducted over a longer period of time that we will be able to analyse population trends. The methodology we use to estimate densities, which was originally designed by our scientific associate Dr. Nic Elliot, has been accepted and adopted by the Kenya Wildlife Service and will be used to estimate lion densities at a national level. We have started an African Wild Dog baseline study, which will determine how many active dens we have in the Mara, number of wild dogs using them, their demographics, and hopefully their activity patterns and spatial ecology. A paper detailing the identification of key wildlife areas that fall outside protected areas was recently published. Contributors: Niels Mogensen, Michael Kaelo, Kelvin Koinet, Kosiom Keiwua, Cyrus Kavwele, Dr Irene Amoke, Dominic Sakat. Layout and design: David Mbugua Cover photo: Kelvin Koinet Printed in October 2018 by the Mara Predator Conservation Programme Maasai Mara, Kenya www.marapredatorconservation.org 2 MARA PREDATOR CONSERVATION PROGRAMME Q3 REPORT 2018 MARA PREDATOR CONSERVATION PROGRAMME Q3 REPORT 2018 3 CONTENTS FIELD UPDATES .......................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Pallas's Cat Status Review & Conservation Strategy
    ISSN 1027-2992 I Special Issue I N° 13 | Spring 2019 Pallas'sCAT cat Status Reviewnews & Conservation Strategy 02 CATnews is the newsletter of the Cat Specialist Group, Editors: Christine & Urs Breitenmoser a component of the Species Survival Commission SSC of the Co-chairs IUCN/SSC International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It is pub- Cat Specialist Group lished twice a year, and is available to members and the Friends of KORA, Thunstrasse 31, 3074 Muri, the Cat Group. Switzerland Tel ++41(31) 951 90 20 For joining the Friends of the Cat Group please contact Fax ++41(31) 951 90 40 Christine Breitenmoser at [email protected] <[email protected]> <[email protected]> Original contributions and short notes about wild cats are welcome Send contributions and observations to Associate Editors: Tabea Lanz [email protected]. Guidelines for authors are available at www.catsg.org/catnews This Special Issue of CATnews has been produced with Cover Photo: Camera trap picture of manul in the support from the Taiwan Council of Agriculture's Forestry Bureau, Kotbas Hills, Kazakhstan, 20. July 2016 Fondation Segré, AZA Felid TAG and Zoo Leipzig. (Photo A. Barashkova, I Smelansky, Sibecocenter) Design: barbara surber, werk’sdesign gmbh Layout: Tabea Lanz and Christine Breitenmoser Print: Stämpfli AG, Bern, Switzerland ISSN 1027-2992 © IUCN SSC Cat Specialist Group The designation of the geographical entities in this publication, and the representation of the material, do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the IUCN concerning the legal status of any country, territory, or area, or its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.
    [Show full text]
  • Pallas's Cat Status Review & Conservation
    ISSN 1027-2992 I Special Issue I N° 13 | Spring 2019 Pallas'sCAT cat Status Reviewnews & Conservation Strategy 02 CATnews is the newsletter of the Cat Specialist Group, Editors: Christine & Urs Breitenmoser a component of the Species Survival Commission SSC of the Co�chairs IUCN/SSC International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It is pu���� Cat Specialist Group lished twice a year, and is availa�le to mem�ers and the Friends of KORA, Thunstrasse 31, 3074 Muri, the Cat Group. Switzerland Tel ++41(31) 951 90 20 For joining the Friends of the Cat Group please contact Fax ++41(31) 951 90 40 Christine Breitenmoser at [email protected] <urs.�[email protected]�e.ch> <ch.�[email protected]> Original contri�utions and short notes a�out wild cats are welcome Send contributions and observations to Associate Editors: Ta�ea Lanz [email protected]. Guidelines for authors are availa�le at www.catsg.org/catnews This Special Issue of CATnews has �een produced with Cover Photo: Camera trap picture of manul in the support from the Taiwan Council of Agriculture's Forestry Bureau, Kot�as Hills, Kazakhstan, 20. July 2016 Fondation Segré, AZA Felid TAG and Zoo Leipzig. (Photo A. Barashkova, I Smelansky, Si�ecocenter) Design: �ar�ara sur�er, werk’sdesign gm�h Layout: Ta�ea Lanz and Christine Breitenmoser Print: Stämpfli AG, Bern, Switzerland ISSN 1027-2992 © IUCN SSC Cat Specialist Group The designation of the geographical entities in this pu�lication, and the representation of the material, do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the IUCN concerning the legal status of any country, territory, or area, or its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or �oundaries.
    [Show full text]
  • How People Should Respond When Encountering a Large Carnivore: Opinions of Wildlife Professionals Dy L a N E
    Human–Wildlife Conflicts 2(2):194–199, Fall 2008 How people should respond when encountering a large carnivore: opinions of wildlife professionals DYLA N E. BRO wn , 507 Silo Loop, Kinsey, Montana 59338, USA [email protected] MI C HAEL R. CO N OVER , Jack H. Berryman Institute, Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University, Logan, Utah 84322-5230, USA Abstract: We conducted telephone surveys of wildlife professionals who work with large carnivores to ask their opinions about how people should respond to avoid being injured when confronted by a black bear (Ursus americana), grizzly bear (Ursus arctos), mountain lion (Puma concolor), or gray wolf (Canis lupus). The respondents agreed that the most appropriate response was to try to increase the distance between a person and the carnivore. In the event of an attack by a black bear, mountain lion, or wolf, most respondents said to fight back. Opinion was divided over the best response for an individual who was being attacked by a grizzly bear, but a slight majority of professionals said to fight back if the attack was predatory and be passive if the attack was defensive; however, respondents also noted that many victims would be unable to identify the bear’s motive. If a black bear came into camp, most respondents said that a person should aggressively encourage the bear to leave and to fight back against a bear that enters a tent at night, regardless of species. Respondents unanimously agreed that bear pepper-spray is effective in defending against an attack. While any encounter with a large carnivore can be fatal to the person involved, we believe that selecting the right course of action increases the odds that the victim can escape without injury.
    [Show full text]
  • Status of the African Wild Dog in the Bénoué Complex, North Cameroon
    Croes et al. African wild dogs in Cameroon Copyright © 2012 by the IUCN/SSC Canid Specialist Group. ISSN 1478-2677 Distribution Update Status of the African wild dog in the Bénoué Complex, North Cameroon 1* 2,3 1 1 Barbara Croes , Gregory Rasmussen , Ralph Buij and Hans de Iongh 1 Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML), University of Leiden, The Netherlands 2 Painted dog Conservation (PDC), Hwange National Park, Box 72, Dete, Zimbabwe 3 Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PS, UK * Correspondence author Keywords: Lycaon pictus, North Cameroon, monitoring surveys, hunting concessions Abstract The status of the African wild dog Lycaon pictus in the West and Central African region is largely unknown. The vast areas of unspoiled Sudano-Guinean savanna and woodland habitat in the North Province of Cameroon provide a potential stronghold for this wide-ranging species. Nevertheless, the wild dog is facing numerous threats in this ar- ea, mainly caused by human encroachment and a lack of enforcement of laws and regulations in hunting conces- sions. Three years of surveys covering over 4,000km of spoor transects and more than 1,200 camera trap days, in addition to interviews with local stakeholders revealed that the African wild dog in North Cameroon can be consid- ered functionally extirpated. Presence of most other large carnivores is decreasing towards the edges of protected areas, while presence of leopard and spotted hyaena is negatively associated with the presence of villages. Lion numbers tend to be lower inside hunting concessions as compared to the national parks.
    [Show full text]
  • Giant Panda Facts (Ailuropoda Melanoleuca)
    U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Giant Panda Facts (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) Giant panda. John J. Mosesso What animal is black and white Giant pandas are bears with one or two cubs weighing 3 to 5 and loved all over the world? If you striking black and white markings. ounces each is born in a sheltered guessed the giant panda, you’re The ears, eye patches, legs and den. Usually only one cub survives. right! shoulder band are black; the rest The eyes open at 1 1/2 to 2 months of the body is whitish. They have and the cub becomes mobile at The giant panda is also known as thick, woolly coats to insulate them approximately three months of the panda bear, bamboo bear, or in from the cold. Adults are four to six age. At 12 months the cub becomes Chinese as Daxiongmao, the “large feet long and may weigh up to 350 totally independent. While their bear cat.” In fact, its scientific pounds—about the same size as average life span in the wild is name means “black and white cat- the American black bear. However, about 15 years, giant pandas in footed animal.” unlike the black bear, giant pandas captivity have been known to live do not hibernate and cannot walk well into their twenties. Giant pandas are found only in on their hind legs. the mountains of central China— Scientists have debated for more in small isolated areas of the The giant panda has unique front than a century whether giant north and central portions of the paws—one of the wrist bones is pandas belong to the bear family, Sichuan Province, in the mountains enlarged and elongated and is used the raccoon family, or a separate bordering the southernmost part of like a thumb, enabling the giant family of their own.
    [Show full text]
  • 2012-13 Furharvester Activity Summary
    Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Furharvester Activity Summary, 2012-13 Matt Peek, furbearer biologist Licenses: A total of 7524 adult and 263 junior resident furharvesting licenses were 31, or in the case of otter, when the 100 otter sold in 2012. This is a 14% increase from quota is reached. 2011, and a 22% increase from the 5-year average. It is also the most licenses sold Historically, the raccoon has been the most since 1987. important furbearer species in Kansas in terms of total harvest and pelt value, and season dates are set to roughly correspond Furharvester license with the time when raccoons are prime (Figure 3). In addition to ensuring the different species are conserved, emphasis is placed on having season open for all species at the same time – so a bobcat taken incidentally by a raccoon trapper in November can be kept, and a raccoon taken incidentally by a bobcat trapper in February can be kept. Last season, over 236,000 user Figure 1. Resident furharvester license sales in KS, days were spent hunting and trapping 1960-2012. furbearers in Kansas. Nonresident furharvester licenses have been November December January February March available in Kansas since 1983. Eighty-seven nd Badger were sold in 2012. The 2 most nonresident Bobcat Coyote license sales on record was 64 in 2008. Gray fox Red fox Swift fox Mink Muskrat Opossum Raccoon Skunk Otter Beaver Primeness Period Furharvesting Season Beaver/Otter Season Figure 3. Pelt primeness dates for Kansas furbearers as indicated by Kansas furdealers. Figure 2. Nonresident furharvester license sales in Harvest and Furdealer Purchases: Kansas, 1983-2012.
    [Show full text]
  • MLAN Quickstart Using Leopard, Snow Leopard and Lion by HHNET
    MLAN QuickStart Using Leopard, Snow Leopard and Lion by HHNET INITIAL SETUP 1) Set 01X DAW choice: UTILITY > REMOTE > choose LOGIC 2) Set 01X to W.CLK for remote: UTILITY > W.CLK > ON > YES 3) Mac > Auto Connector > Connect to 01X 4) FIX 01x Port4 in LOGIC STUDIO > ENVIRONMENT On the page where your MIDI hardware ports are displayed just create New Object >Cable Switcher and route the cable FROM the 01x Port4 TO the Cable Switcher. IMPORTANT NOTE: The SYSEX Fix in Step 4) won't help you with MIDI Learn since Logic listens to all ports all the time when using MIDI Learn. To get around this problem, either use the Graphic Patchbay to disable 01X MIDI port 4 while doing your MIDI Learn assignments, or, do your MIDI Learn assignments while the 01X isn't connected. 5) To use MIDI Learn in Logic the fix above in Step 4. must be done OR you must disconnect the 01X and then perform the MIDI Learns you wish to store, then reconnect the 01X. 6) AUDIO MONITOR CHANNELS 17/18 > do not mute them in Logic7) THE STEREO RETURN MONITOR USES CH 17 AND CH18 > DO NOT MUTE IN LOGIC. BE SURE TO SEE AND READ WEBPAGE BELOW! SETTING UP 01X AND MOTIF XS > MAC http://www.motifator.com/index.php/support/view/setting_up_a_network_with_the_yamaha_01x_motif_xs_and_ mac_computer STUDIO MANAGER, AUTO CONNECTOR AND GRAPHIC PATCHBAY Studio Manager 2.4 will work running OSX 10.5 Leopard up to OSX 10.7 Lion. Auto Connector and Graphic Patchbay work ONLY in 32-bit mode.
    [Show full text]
  • Mountain Lions (Also Known As Cougars) from Montana FWP Except As Noted
    Mountain Lions (also known as Cougars) From Montana FWP except as noted Iowa DNR Physical Appearance The scientific name given to mountain lions is Puma concolor, meaning “cat of one color.” Yet, their back and sides are usually tawny to light-cinnamon in color; their chest and underside are white; the backs of the ears and the tip of the tail are black. Males and females vary in size and weight, with males being about 1/3 larger than females. Adult males may be more than eight feet long and can weigh 135 - 175 pounds. Adult females may be up to seven feet long and weigh between 90 and 105 pounds. Mountain lions are easily distinguished from other wild cats - the bobcat and lynx. Lions, except for their kittens, are much larger than lynx or bobcats, and have long tails, measuring about one-third of their overall body length. Michigan DNR Range, Habitat & Behavior Mountain lions are the most widely distributed cat in the Americas, found from Canada to Argentina. They live in mountainous, semi-arid terrain, subtropical and tropical forests, and swamps. Mountain lions are most common where there is abundant prey, rough terrain, and adequate vegetation. They are active year-round. While mountain lions tend to avoid people, they can and do live in close proximity to humans. They tend to be more active when there is less human presence. The lion’s staple diet is meat. Deer and elk, the primary prey species, often are killed with a bite that breaks the neck or penetrates the skull or the kill is from a “choking” bite that crushes the windpipe.
    [Show full text]
  • Husbandry Guidelines for African Lion Panthera Leo Class
    Husbandry Guidelines For (Johns 2006) African Lion Panthera leo Class: Mammalia Felidae Compiler: Annemarie Hillermann Date of Preparation: December 2009 Western Sydney Institute of TAFE, Richmond Course Name: Certificate III Captive Animals Course Number: RUV 30204 Lecturer: Graeme Phipps, Jacki Salkeld, Brad Walker DISCLAIMER The information within this document has been compiled by Annemarie Hillermann from general knowledge and referenced sources. This document is strictly for informational purposes only. The information within this document may be amended or changed at any time by the author. The information has been reviewed by professionals within the industry, however, the author will not be held accountable for any misconstrued information within the document. 2 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY RISKS Wildlife facilities must adhere to and abide by the policies and procedures of Occupational Health and Safety legislation. A safe and healthy environment must be provided for the animals, visitors and employees at all times within the workplace. All employees must ensure to maintain and be committed to these regulations of OHS within their workplace. All lions are a DANGEROUS/ HIGH RISK and have the potential of fatally injuring a person. Precautions must be followed when working with lions. Consider reducing any potential risks or hazards, including; Exhibit design considerations – e.g. Ergonomics, Chemical, Physical and Mechanical, Behavioural, Psychological, Communications, Radiation, and Biological requirements. EAPA Standards must be followed for exhibit design. Barrier considerations – e.g. Mesh used for roofing area, moats, brick or masonry, Solid/strong metal caging, gates with locking systems, air-locks, double barriers, electric fencing, feeding dispensers/drop slots and ensuring a den area is incorporated.
    [Show full text]