In March 2008, Panthera initiated the California Cougar Project (CCP). The project is led by Dr. Howard Quigley, Panthera’s Director of Western Hemisphere Felid Programs, and CCP’s Program Coordinator, Deanna Dawn. The purpose of this project was to provide a comprehensive summary and evaluation of the information available for cougar conservation planning in California. This information will be used to inform and direct development of additional activities to assist in a statewide cougar conservation plan. Phase One of the project, completed in March 2009, produced an in depth overview of cougar science and conservation in California, along with an incisive set of recommendations for future activities.
Specific objectives of this initial phase were:
1. Summarize past cougar research efforts to date;
2. Identify organizations and individuals currently active in cougar science and conservation;
3. Identify and characterize threats to cougar populations;
4. Develop specific recommendations for the development of a strategic cougar conservation activities based on consensus of expert opinion.
Methods
We conducted 34 interviews with experts primarily from two fields, cougar ecology (including management agencies, research entities, and non-profits) and habitat conservation planning. We also conducted site visits to three of the four currently active cougar research projects. The fourth project was initiating at the time of our evaluation. We conducted an in-person interview with a representative from this project.
Results
Habitat loss/fragmentation and lack of public education (regarding cougars) were determined to be the two primary issues currently impacting cougar populations in California.
Conservation and management recommendations
Based on the results of this work, we developed the following set of recommendations for cougar conservation on the California landscape:
1. Habitat loss and fragmentation: develop a statewide assessment of critical habitat and corridors, a ranking system to prioritize the sites and begin conservation activities, and a research program that will provide empirical data on the use of the linkages and habitat characteristics important for cougar survival.
2. Public Education: conduct a public opinion survey targeted in areas of existing wildland-urban interface (and future development of wildland-urban interface), and develop an education program born out of the opinion surveys and targeted toward important interface areas, with outreach to specific user groups and schools.
Phase Two
Objectives for Phase Two of the project will be designed to address the most pressing issues regarding cougars in California (habitat and public education). The initial step in this effort (Phase Two) will be a slow, progressive, and focused development of activities and partners in an evaluation of cougar habitat and a delineation of critical corridors. This information will serve as the framework for developing future cougar conservation strategies in the state.
Cougars and the California landscape
The state of California covers more than 99 million acres. Of that, more than half of the state is considered potential cougar habitat. However, cougars are competing with more than 35 million people. The state has been at the forefront of the environmental movement, and many municipalities have been in search of conservation applications to stem the loss of habitat and secure a high quality of life for residents. The state offers an immense opportunity to develop solutions to cougar conflicts and landscape planning challenges.
Cougars are important for maintaining the health of ecosystems, and are considered “keystone species” and therefore provide some essential interactions with other species. For instance, cougar predation creates a regulatory influence on deer populations, reducing the chance of overpopulation. Removing cougars or other large predators can alter the character of ecosystems.
California is losing wildlife habitat. More importantly, habitat loss is often accompanied by habitat fragmentation. This can isolate wildlife populations on habitat “islands” which, among other things, makes genetic exchange between these populations very difficult. Habitat loss can invariably lead to the breakdown of ecosystems and, in some cases, cause the extinction of species. Cougars are also known as an “umbrella species”; preserving cougar habitat extends an umbrella of protection for many other species. One of the key goals of the project is to identify the range of good quality cougar habitat in California. This could serve as a cornerstone for the protection of cougars and other species while at the same time helping maintain healthy, functioning ecosystems for all Californians.
Benefits of the California Cougar Project to global carnivore conservation
Developing an effective conservation strategy for cougars in California creates a valuable “laboratory” for large carnivore conservation efforts globally. In much of the world, carnivore conservation is hindered by lack of funding and other resources. Lessons learned from both biological evaluations (i.e., habitat/corridor assessments) and public education programs in California create valuable, and much needed, templates for similar conservation efforts in other parts of the world.
Who is Craighead Beringia South?
Established in 1998 by Derek Craighead, the organization is an independent nonprofit dedicated to using science to improve conservation and management of natural resources through broad-based field work, information gathering, and education.
For more information, please visit: http://www.beringiasouth.org
