News Archives - Page 2 of 46

It can’t be completed soon enough.

February 16, 2023/in News

Sadly, another mountain lion was killed on a highway in Southern California this week. This comes on the heels of the vehicle collision death of four year old P81 on January 22nd this year. These human caused mortalities are a microcosm of the impacts that we have on the landscape.

There is not much indication that growth will slow down, but how we plan and consider the needs of the wildlife and the habitat that development is invading has to become a priority everywhere.

Due for completion in 2025, the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing in Southern California will represent a landmark cooperative effort between state agencies, federal departments, non governmental organizations and passionate support from an inspired public, tired of the constant human costs and wildlife casualties from vehicle collisions on congested and expanding highway systems.

Probably the most elusive, yet ironically public symbol of collateral damage is the majestic cougar. For a species once native to all of the Americas, loss of habitat by encroachment and fragmentation has become an enormous threat. In the few states where mountain lions still remain and where development is at an all time high, lions have become confined to semi island populations that limit genetic diversity and where lions have displayed signs of inbreeding such as tail deformities and heart malformations.

Wildlife crossings, which benefit all animals that use them (even crabs on Christmas Island in Australia!) allow for genetic diversity, expanded range-famous P22 survived in an area 1/9th a male lion’s unrestricted territory- preventing overuse of forage, limiting disease spread by allowing dispersal of herds and keeping migratory routes patent.

Thanks to all the partners that made this project possible. Wildlife Crossings can be a wonderful focus of common ground for all people that care about animals and want to see them safely across the road.

Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing

Grizzly bears, different perspectives weigh in…

February 15, 2023/in Montana, News, Uncategorized

With the recent announcement of yet another look at the grizzly bear delisting process moving forward in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, voices are being heard, both expected and some not-so-much. The Cougar Fund was present in Missoula in the winter of 2013/14 when the delisting process started again, again. One of the most avid proponents of confirming recovery at that time was then USFWS Grizzly Bear Recovery Coordinator, Chris Servheen. Now he is taking a different view of how safe the bears will be if they face the possibility of losing protections under the Endangered Species Act. This article presents perspectives from Dr Servheen and other stakeholders as the public and those who feel most affected by bears on the landscape try to come to grips with how states management plans should be drawn up.

Please click on the photo below to go to the article.

The grizzly Rorschach test

More misunderstanding in Wyoming

February 14, 2023/in Wyoming legislation, News

When legislation is considered about how to avoid stock depredations by wild predators, it can become mired in looking at short term solutions. Killing coyotes, foxes, wolves, mountain lions, and bears en masse, doesn’t really solve anything. It is a very temporary ‘fix’. Let’s take a moment to ask ourselves why we opt for widespread slaughter of coyotes when the body of scientific evidence indicates this can often increase the population.

Coyotes play a crucial role in North American ecosystems, and their removal or reduction can have significant impacts on the environment. Coyotes are known to regulate populations of small mammals, such as rodents, which can have negative impacts on the landscape if left unchecked. Coyotes also help to control the spread of disease by reducing the populations of those same small mammals that are often carriers of disease. In addition, coyotes can serve as a food source for a wide range of predators, including eagles, bears, and mountain lions.

Interestingly, there is research to suggest that coyotes actually reproduce in larger numbers when their populations are subjected to high levels of mortality. This phenomenon is known as compensatory reproduction, and it has been observed in a number of species.

One study, conducted by Dr. John Way and colleagues at the Eastern Coyote Research Center in Massachusetts, found evidence of compensatory reproduction in coyotes in response to predator control programs. The researchers found that as predator control efforts increased, coyote populations responded by increasing their reproductive output. There have been many other studies that show similar findings.

We understand the devastation of losing stock and the impact on livelihoods. Perhaps looking at how the coyote responds to adverse predator control is the first step towards coming up with a solution that honors human interests AND the natural world.

New bill on coyote night hunting passes both Senate and House

Cara Blessley Lowe

Legislative News

February 12, 2023/in Wyoming legislation, Blog, News, Cougar News

The most challenging aspect of advocating for wildlife is the uncertainty of whether our efforts are making progress or if we are losing ground. This is particularly relevant when it comes to recognizing that every species plays a role in the ecosystem.

Requesting consideration for the ecological impact of large carnivores is not just about emotions.

The term “emotion” is often used to belittle individuals who have a different perspective on wildlife and its relationship with human presence.

However, we are an emotional species at every level, not just those who advocate for a non traditional approach to managing our precious wildlife resources. The 10th Amendment of the Constitution assigns responsibility to each state This responsibility is actually held in the public trust for all people, similar to clean water and air.

It is hard to comprehend the “sport” hunting of mountain lions, which is allowed in 14 out of the 16 states with breeding populations. It is important to understand that “sport” hunting is a hobby, and while some hunters may eat the meat of the animal they hunt, this is not their primary motivation. In states where bears, lions, and wolves are classified as Trophy Game and there is no wanton waste statute, nothing is required to be taken back except proof of the animal’s sex and a tooth for data recording. Often only parts that can be hung, mounted, or walked on, are retrieved.

In Wyoming, hunt areas have reached their “harvest mortality limits” for lions quickly, and hunters who use hounds have lobbied to continue chasing lions until the end of the season, even after the limit has been reached.

This extended chase season is not a harmless alternative to killing. It is in addition to the long days and weeks of pursuing lions from September 1st until the limit is met.

The Cougar Fund has grave concerns about adding to the already harsh mountain lion hunting opportunity.

Mountain lions are a keystone species

A keystone species is a species in an ecosystem that plays a critical role in maintaining the balance of that ecosystem. Its presence and impact on the ecosystem are much larger than would be expected based on its abundance. The loss of a keystone species can cause significant changes to the ecosystem, potentially leading to a cascade of effects that alter the balance of the ecosystem and the interactions between its species.

Hounding mountain lions can disturb the balance of the ecosystem by driving lions out of their territory and leading to competition for food and resources and intra-species conflict.
It can also cause significant stress to the animal, especially female lions who may have young not traveling with them and become separated.
It can lead to the death of the animal, either from the hounds themselves or from the lion’s inability to find food or shelter after being chased out of its habitat.
This practice can be cruel, as the animal may be tracked for long distances and chased for hours before finding refuge in a tree or cave. (Most hunting occurs when an animal is unaware of its fate)
The hounds can also kill kittens that cannot climb to safety.
Being chased by hounds is not a hazing tool; lions are simply cats that climb to escape, a remnant from a time before humans when they had to escape large canids on the landscape.
Lions are often near where they can find food, so constant hounding will also affect the winter range of ungulates during their most vulnerable time of the year.
Chasing lions through the end of March coincides with the critical last two months of deer pregnancy, when the doe’s health is vital for the viability of the fawn.

Let’s remember when we hear that a season has closed and there is a problem because there are hounds that can no longer be trained or exercised but have to be fed, is that having these hounds is a choice, a hobby. Should our wildlife really be expected to pay for those choices?

Mountain lion pursuit bill passes WY Senate, heads to House

TCF Wild Lives Campaign

Avian Flu confirmed in mammals in Montana and Colorado

February 10, 2023/in Montana, Colorado, News, Cougar News

Montana recently announced that three grizzlies were killed following confirmation that they had contracted bird flu. Bird flu is most likely passed by consumption of an infected carcass, the organism can live up to 48 hours on surfaces and much longer on organic materials such as feathers. Interestingly, while avian flu is almost immediately fatal in birds, many mammals have actually survived after contracting it, although the risk of it spreading through wild populations is extremely serious and the resilience of the virus makes it a global threat to both wild and domestic birds.

https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/18/us/montana-grizzly-bears-bird-flu/index.html

Colorado this week added to the data verifying the spread of avian flu to wild mammals in that state. As of November 2023, the US had recorded a record number of cases in wild birds and domestic poultry. State wildlife agencies are now beginning to look at avian flu as a cause of unexplained illness or mortality in other wild species. We know what a devastating effect widespread infection can have on birds, we need to have a concerted approach from the states and federal agencies to the impacts of avian flu on other wildlife as well.

https://kdvr.com/news/local/bird-flu-death-colorado-mammal-bear-lion-skunk/?utm_source=ourcommunitynow&utm_medium=web&fbclid=IwAR26thhHZL5qJH-HaSgk1EfB1L-I_aQ2xUmG1kZtkXk-OXx-CRfYkOEg3PU

A Fireside Blog

December 22, 2022/in News

Following a conversation with a dear and respected friend, I recently looked up the actual definition of a “blog” and was happy that the dictionary reinforced my intuitive leaning towards a warm and meaningful conversation with you-our Cougar Fund Family, this Holiday Season.

I hope you can sit a moment and join me to read this somewhat one-sided conversation between all the busy-ness and pressure we endure to celebrate peace and love for each other and all creatures.

Yes, it’s the end of the year, and how many of us are thinking about “out with the old and in with the new” as the 22 changes to 23?

We hope your year has been full of making happy memories that you will build on in 2023 and beyond. We are always glad you choose to join us as we bring you news of what is happening in the natural world and how education, policy, and science impacts mountain lions and other magnificent large carnivores.

Wild Lives: A New Way to View Wildlife

Our ‘old’ is our previous website and our ‘new’ is a wonderful new website window into our work, with a special place for you to meet the neighbors!

Yes! Wild Lives, the campaign we told you about over Thanksgiving will be available at this link.

Click to watch our “Wild Lives” teaser on YouTube.

You will learn so much more about the lives of animals and how they share the spaces we seldom enter. It has been a privilege to gather these vignettes of peaceful coexistence. The vigilance of prey; the exhausting toil of small mammals preparing for winter; the cowboy walk of a fat bear; dancing fawns; a mountain lion, barely visible on a dark night, shaking his cold paws to try and get the feeling back; all captured without being there, and happily shared with you so you make that heart connection that powers your need to protect them.

Another ‘new’ is our fantastic assistant Mary Greenblatt, who has been invaluable on long hikes setting up cameras, and doing programs for visitors and schools. Welcome aboard Mary, it is great to have you and 2023 will bring even more wild video resources and outreach because of your help.

Saying Goodbye to P22

Mountain lions are notorious for not being seen. It is one of their greatest survival behaviors, and may be one of the reasons why they have existed for so many eons when other species have not. Sadly, as 2022 comes to a close, a mountain lion world icon, P22, was gently, and with grace, relieved of suffering after a life in the Santa Monica Mountain National Recreation Area, Griffith Park, on the edge of Los Angeles. Why is this significant? Because the dedicated biologists that study all the lions in that area have been able to collect evidence of just how important habitat is to the survival of lions. What happens there is slowly being replicated by sprawl across many other large urban areas that are encroaching and fragmenting wildlife habitat-WE MUST LISTEN.

P-22 in front of the Hollywood sign (Source: National Geographic)

Our Facebook page has more information about P22 and links to the work of SMMNRA, but the bottom line is that as P22 leaves us, what has to come in in 2023 is renewed commitment to preserving intact habitat where we live, whether it is pushing for wildlife crossings, making sure new developments include safe connectivity…basically getting involved to make sure we advocate for the fact that wildlife are stakeholders when decisions are made about the landscape.

Exciting Work Ahead

Although it is not new, it is something that can only get better-education!

We are truly devoted to it. At the Cougar Fund, we have interacted with people of all ages in person and via technology. We have been in living rooms and classrooms, high school discussion groups, lodges, gymnasiums, fields, cafeterias, city parks, forests, reservations, hotels, restaurants, libraries, dude ranches, churches, and even a couple of state wildlife agency meeting rooms. All you have to do is ask. Whether by Zoom or in person, our passion is our fuel and our programming keeps us inspired.

We have introduced thousands of people, young and not so young, to their wild neighbors over the years, and our new ‘wild lives’ footage will add to the celebration of what goes on when no-one is around. Just email us at info@cougarfund.org

Thank you for reading this last blog of the year. The work that goes on here will never be finite, it is a constant passing of the baton to each and every person, because protecting mountain lions means keeping their habitat as intact as it can possibly be. Development is going to happen, we know that, BUT, the needs of wildlife have to be part of the process.

However you celebrate this time of year, I know that if you have read this far, you LOVE nature and especially the incredible puma concolor as much as we do. They are simply amazing, please don’t stop learning, please don’t stop caring, and please keep believing that they belong and make the natural world a better place.

Wishing you the warmth that comes from being inside in winter, being surrounded by love, and knowing you are appreciated for what you do for the future of the wild world.

With great kindness,

– Penny

Executive Director

Where will they go?

February 22, 2022/in News

https://www.sacbee.com/opinion/op-ed/article258649018.html

In California, even in heavily populated urban areas, seeing bears and cougars is not completely unheard of, though still relatively uncommon. However, in recent years, it seems like these sightings and even incidents, are on the rise. Biologists think that some of this increase may be due to climate change. 2021 was the driest since 1924 and had the hottest ever summer in California, with nearly 9000 wildfires destroying 2.5 million acres of land where bears and mountain lions lived. 2021 was also the deadliest for bears on roads. It’s no wonder that some of these animals, fleeing for their lives, might cross highways and roads and wander into towns and cities seeking food.

It’s only a matter of time until less densely populated states in the Rocky Mountain west start to see the same thing happening. More and more people are moving into rural mountain towns, while at the same time, more and more wildfires are igniting due in part to climate change. Where will all the wildlife go when their homes and habitat are destroyed either directly by human development or indirectly by climate change induced habitat loss?

Choose your words carefully

February 20, 2022/in News

Feb 20, 2022
OutThere Colorado

“Mountain Lions On The Prowl Again In This CO Neighborhood,” “Four mountain lions seen stalking around Colorado neighborhood,” “4 mountain lions prowl Conifer neighborhood.” These three headlines are for the same event- a family of mountain lions caught on a security camera, walking through a Colorado neighborhood at night, without any incident. So why are the words prowling and stalking used to describe their behavior instead of walking, meandering, or exploring? Stalk and prowl indicate criminal behavior, like a thief peeking into windows, looking to steal from or hurt someone. Why are these words used so often to describe cougars?

If you actually watch the video, the big cats are just doing what animals do, walking around and not bothering anyone at all. Words matter, and when the words most often used to describe benign animal behavior, indicate negative or even criminal intent, it can seep into the minds of the people reading the words. Without even realizing it, people may start to fear these animals, thinking that they are always out to get them, even when they are just living their lives and not hurting anyone at all. We should all try to be more conscious of the words we use to describe wildlife and try not to bestow negative human traits on normal animal behavior.

Read the full article >

Steve Winter Photography

Just in Time for Valentine’s Day

February 12, 2022/in News

A LOVE AFFAIR WITH AMERICA’S LION

His presence has provided an open air classroom for anyone who wants to learn about mountain lions, through media posts, research, and even in-person sightings as he has become conditioned to his ‘island’ of habitat in one of the densest human developments in the country.

He is known as P22 and his victory in surviving without conflict so close to humans is juxtaposed by the detriments we have inflicted upon him and others of his species.

He has gone through a lot in his life in the public eye in Griffith Park, including debilitating rodenticide poisoning, unnecessary and frightening hazing with a tennis ball server in a confined crawl space, and the inability to connect with a mate because of encroachment and lack of connectivity

The chances are that he will not pass on his genes-the function of survival in all living things. The chances are that he will not be alive when the magnificent overpass that will allow for greater connectivity and genetic diversity in mountain lions is built across the mighty and mightily devastating barrier of southern California highways.

P22 has been a teacher, even if his life has been lonely. Thank goodness he has brought awareness of the horrible dangers of poisons and infrastructure and their negative effects on wildlife. Let’s honor him by remembering these lessons going forward.

Read the full article >

Following the money

February 11, 2022/in News

At the end of last week there was good news regarding the return of protections to segments of the grey wolf population. Those with political power had yet again shown their willingness to use wildlife as pawns in ever more antagonistic battles on both the state and the national stages.

Perhaps to ameliorate the bitter pill somewhat with their constituencies, DOI closely followed the wolf relisting with news of record funds to states for traditional wildlife conservation uses. Let’s unpack briefly whether it is completely accurate that all of the guns, ammo, equipment, boat fuel, etc. is actually purchased ONLY by hunters. Well, actually it is not….various estimates seem to hover around 20-25% with the rest being bought for home safety, target shooters, fuel for recreational boating, etc. etc. It is commendable that this large excise tax is willingly paid by uses to return to fund conservation efforts- but the user group is not exclusive. Other outdoor recreationists could certainly step up and support the recurrently emerging ‘backpack’ tax.

Diverse funding of conservation as well as diverse representation when decisions are being made about wildlife are priority issues.

View the U.S. Department of the Interior Press Release >