Proceedings of the Ninth Mountain Lion Workshop - Carnivore ...
Proceedings of the Ninth Mountain Lion Workshop - Carnivore ...
Proceedings of the Ninth Mountain Lion Workshop - Carnivore ...
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Science and Education Working Toge<strong>the</strong>r to Promote <strong>Lion</strong> Awareness<br />
at Grand Canyon<br />
Lori Rome, Park Ranger, Grand Canyon National Park, P.O. 129, Grand Canyon, AZ<br />
86023 USA lori_rome@nps.gov<br />
Michael Quinn, Visual Information Specialist, Grand Canyon National Park, P.O. 129,<br />
Grand Canyon, AZ 86023, USA Michael_quinn@nps.gov<br />
Eric York, Wildlife Biologist, Grand Canyon National Park, P.O. 129, Grand Canyon,<br />
AZ 86023, USA (deceased)<br />
ABSTRACT The <strong>the</strong>me <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> workshop is Cougars: Past, Present and Future<br />
Challenges. Future challenges at Grand Canyon National Park include rapid human<br />
development and visitation, continued reduction <strong>of</strong> lion habitat and a growing chance for<br />
adverse human-lion interactions. There is a nationwide need for education and awareness<br />
about lion behavior, ecology and management. Teaching <strong>the</strong> general public how and<br />
why lions are important can create support for research and science-based lion<br />
management. Scientists ga<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> information, while educators disseminate it.<br />
Eric York, late Grand Canyon biologist, believed that <strong>the</strong> research and education<br />
occurring at Grand Canyon was different than most lion research projects in that research<br />
conducted here could be disseminated immediately to a very large audience and that <strong>the</strong><br />
Park environment <strong>of</strong>fered many unique educational avenues. A successful team has been<br />
created between science and education at Grand Canyon NP with <strong>the</strong> result that <strong>the</strong><br />
public has received balanced and accurate mountain lion information. Methodologies<br />
used to disseminate mountain lion information have included ranger presentations,<br />
articles in Nature Notes, web-based videos, special programs to Elderhostel and<br />
conservation groups and <strong>the</strong> creation <strong>of</strong> site bulletins. Over 10,000 visitors have attended<br />
evening ranger programs on current mountain lion research. Our mountain lion web sites<br />
have had approximately 13,000 hits since May <strong>of</strong> 2007 and over 60 Park personnel have<br />
been trained by Science Center and Interpretive staff in mountain lion issues. Public<br />
support for <strong>the</strong> program has led <strong>the</strong> Park Science Center and Interpretive Staff, in<br />
conjunction with <strong>the</strong> Grand Canyon Association, to launch an “Adopt-A-<strong>Lion</strong>” program<br />
which is expected to bring in a significant amount <strong>of</strong> new funding to support mountain<br />
lion research at Grand Canyon National Park.<br />
<strong>Proceedings</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Ninth</strong> <strong>Mountain</strong> <strong>Lion</strong> <strong>Workshop</strong><br />
191