Proceedings of the Seventh Mountain Lion Workshop

36 NEVADA MOUNTAIN LION STATUS REPORT · Woolstenhulme
applicable management option, following
guidelines outlined in this protocol. All
efforts will be directed at the individual lion
causing the problem.
Mountain lion/human interactions have
increased throughout the West and in
Nevada in the last several decades. During
the same period, the number of depredation
complaints and the number of lions taken on
depredation complaints has also increased.
The Division desires to reduce multiple
depredations from the same animal and
prevent harm to humans.
The Division recognizes three distinct
categories of mountain lions involved in
human/lion interactions.
A. Nuisance Lion - a lion involved in a
direct meeting with a human but did
not exhibit aggressive behavior toward
the human, a lion repeatedly observed
in an area, or a situation where
personal property is at risk.
B. Depredating Lion - a lion that has
injured or killed livestock or domestic
pets.
C. Dangerous or Aggressive Lion - a
lion that has exhibited aggressive
behavior towards humans. A lion that
has an unnatural interest in humans
without provocation and is perceived
to be a threat to public safety. A lion
located in a place or situation where
human safety is of concern may be
considered dangerous.
Various management options are
available to Division employees when a
mountain lion conflict arises. The Division
employee responding to or assigned to
handle a lion/human conflict will have the
primary responsibility to assess mountain
lion involvement in an incident and conduct
the necessary investigation. Agents may be
required to make an assessment "on the
spot" or if time permits make an assessment
PROCEEDINGS OF THE SEVENTH MOUNTAIN LION WORKSHOP
with consultation.
At all opportunities, the Division will
provide educational and informational
materials to individuals concerned with lion
management and people-lion conflict
prevention. These materials will include
options for pet and livestock protection and
avoidance of dangerous encounters with
mountain lions. Site-specific education and
prevention efforts will be made in historic
conflict areas.
A field response by either a Division
employee or his/her designated agent is
required for all lion/human interactions
involving the categories of lions defined.
1. Nuisance Mountain Lions
a. No management action combined
with education effort.
b. Deterrent methods combined with
education effort.
c. Capture, mark and relocate cougars
if deterrent methods are
unsuccessful or impractical. Lions
identified for relocation will be
transported to the following release
sites in priority order.
1) Instate release locations within
low conflict areas
2) Out of state governmental
agencies
3) University or research facilities
4) Zoological gardens or Zoos
d. Nuisance lions will be destroyed if
relocating or deterrent methods are
unsuccessful or impractical.
2. Depredation Mountain Lions
a. No management action combined
with education effort.
b. Deterrent methods including
prevention materials (if applicable)
combined with education effort.
c. Capture, mark and relocate cougars
if deterrent methods are
unsuccessful or impractical. Lions