PWD BK W7000-893 Proceedings.CDR - Mountain Lion Foundation

62
sixth Mountain Lion w o r k s h o p
REGIONAL SCALE COUGAR HABITAT MODELLING IN
SOUTHWESTERN ALBERTA, CANADA
MARTIN G. JALKOTZY, Arc Wildlife Services Ltd., 3527 - 35 Ave. S.W., Calgary, AB
T3E 1A2, CANADA
P. IAN ROSS, Arc Wildlife Services Ltd., 3527 - 35 Ave. S.W., Calgary, AB T3E 1A2, CANADA
JACK WIERZCHOWSKI. Geomar Consulting Ltd., P.O. Box 1843, Grand Forks, B.C. V0H 1H0, CANADA
Abstract: Regional scale habitat modeling for
cougars (Puma concolor) has not been described
in the Canadian Rockies. We developed habitat
models using radio-telemetry data (n = 2,172)
collected in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in
southwestern Alberta between 1981 and 1989.
We constructed radio-location density maps for
male and female cougars during winter and nonwinter
periods. Higher radio-location densities
were assumed to represent areas of higher quality
cougar habitat. Radio location density classes and
the locations of kills were quantitatively defined in
terms of a variety of environmental and human
attributes. Significant attributes associated with
high radio-location densities for both males and
females in both winter and non-winter periods
included lower elevations, increased terrain
ruggedness, heavier stalking cover, and greater
distances from high-use human features. Kills
were found at lower elevations, closer to good prey
habitat, and in areas with greater terrain ruggedness
than would be expected by chance. The
results of our modeling are being used in the
development of a comprehensive conservation
strategy for carnivores in the Rocky Mountains of
the U.S. and Canada.
FLORIDA PANTHERS IN A WETLAND ECOSYSTEM
DEBORAH JANSEN, Big Cypress National Preserve, Ochopee, FL 34141
Abstract: Pumas (Puma concolor) demonstrate a
wide degree of adaptability in the diverse habitats
they occupy. Today, a large portion of the Florida
panther's (P. c. coryi) range is the wetlands found in
Big Cypress National Preserve, and they are
thriving in it. These wetlands were spared because
they were less favorable for agriculture and urban
development and now are a unit of the National
Park Service. Some researchers have
mischaracterized all but the northern portion of
Big Cypress as unsuitable for panthers. Critics
stated that it was a "population sink" and, at best,
could support only a transient population, due to
its sparse forest cover, nutrient-starved soils, and
the resultant poor prey base. Although there was
not a reproducing population in this area for many
years, the primary causes weren't inherent in the
ecosystem, as demonstrated by the panthers'
positive response to a variety of management
actions. Steps taken to lessen human impacts
included the elimination of hunting deer with dogs
and a reduction in the number of backcountry
camps. The most important measure taken was the
introduction of Texas mountain lions in 1995 to
address the negative effects of inbreeding depression.
Since then, the population in southern Big
Cypress has gone from 2 to 20. The expanding
panther population was sustained by a corresponding
expansion in the deer herd. Deer
responded to a longer wet season that increased
nutritious wetland forage. As the wetlands got
wetter, the panthers did better.