Proceedings of the fifth mountain lion workshop: 27

PROCEEDINGS OF THE FIFTH MOUNTAIN LION WORKSHOP 85
POPULATION DEMOGRAPHICS OF AN EXPLOITED
MOUNTAIN LION POPULATION
Stan C. Cunningham. Research Branch, Arizona Game and Fish Department, 2221 W. Greenway Road, Phoenix, AZ 85023,
USA.
We investigated the population demographics of an exploited mountain lion (Puma concolor) population in the
Aravaipa-Klondyke Area of southeastern Arizona from February 1991 to September 1993. By comparing mountain lion track
surveys on the Aravaipa-Klondyke study area with surveys from around Arizona, we found lion density on our study area was
as high as any recorded in the state. Radio-collared mountain lions in our study experienced the lowest overall annual survival
rat (0.55) found on any lion study; depredation control was the leading cause of mortality. Male mountain lions were more likely
to be killed in depredation cases than females. The sex ratio within our study population was almost eve, and mountain lion age
structure was similar to that reported in unexploited populations.
PREY AVAILABILITY AND SELECTION BY MOUNTAIN LIONS
IN THE ARAVAIPA-KLONDYKE AREA OF ARIZONA
Stan C. Cunningham. Research Branch, Arizona Game and Fish Department, 2221 W. Greenway Road, Phoenix, AZ 85023,
USA.
Prey selection by mountain lions (Puma concolor) in the Aravaipa-Klondyke area (2,000 km 2 ) in southeastern Arizona
was studied from February 1991 through September 1993. Overall diet from frequency of occurrence as determined from 370
scats was: 48% deer (whitetail and mule deer combined), 34% cattle, 17% javelina, 6% rabbit (cottontail and jackrabbit), 4%
rodent, and 2% desert bighorn sheep. Using a correction factor developed by Ackerman et al. 1984, we also estimated percent
biomass and proportion of individuals killed. With respect to biomass consumed, cattle was 44%, deer 40%, javelina 10.9 %,
rabbits 2.9%, and rodents 0.02%. Based on weights of prey consumed, proportion of individuals changes to rabbits 52.7%, deer
16.3%, rodents 12%, javelina 10%, cattle 8%, and desert bighorn 0.5%. Preliminary comparisons with availability as determined
from 4 separate 4 day double count helicopter surveys found that lions apparently selected calves (ate more than expected based
on availability), killed and ate javelina as expected based on availability, and consumed less deer than expected.
MOUNTAIN LION FOOD HABITS IN A DESERT ENVIRONMENT:
PRELIMINARY RESULTS
Mike Elmer. Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83842, USA.
K.A. Logan. Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83842, USA.
L.L. Sweanor. Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83842, USA.
M.G. Hornocker. Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83842, USA.
From 1985 through 1995 Kenny Logan and Linda Sweanor conducted lion research in the San Andres Mountains of
New Mexico. During their field studies the researchers collected one of the largest samples of lion scats and stomach contents
ever compiled. In my study each individual scat and stomach is being analyzed for content. Using the results, food habits will
be compared between years as well as between seasons. Ultimately, these data along with a kill sample collected over the ten
year period will be used to determine possible impacts of lion predation on some prey populations. After analyzing
approximately 500 scats and stomach contents I have observed 12 different prey species. Preliminary data shows that mule deer
(Odocoileus hemionus) is the primary food item throughout the year with several small mammal species varying in importance
seasonally. I expect this pattern to hold throughout the analysis of the remaining scats
DNA FROM MOUNTAIN LION SCAT: PRELIMINARY STUDIES