Nebraskaland

22 Nebraskaland • November 2019 seems everyone has an opinion on this species, ranging from "get rid of them" to "just let them be." To help guide management decisions about the species, Game and Parks has opted to take a scientific approach rather than an emotional one. Biologists recognize the mountain lion as an important part of Nebraska's biodiversity, but also strive to employ management strategies to maintain resilient, healthy and socially acceptable populations in balance with available habitat and other wildlife species over the long term. In 2015, Game and Parks ramped up its research efforts under the direction of Sam Wilson, furbearer and carnivore program manager. By capturing mountain lions and equipping them with GPS tracking collars, researchers have gained new insight into how this species is spending its time in the Pine Ridge. The research has not only given Nebraska officials a better idea of how many cats are in the area, but also what they're eating and how they are using the terrain. By using both the revered and well-established mark- recapture survey method coupled with modern genetic surveys, Game and Parks has gained confidence in its population estimates in the Pine Ridge. Remarkably, those two methods came up with exactly the same number of cats when the most recent population estimates were tabulated in 2017. Both survey methods arrived at 59 individuals in the Pine Ridge of Sioux, Dawes and Sheridan counties. The population estimates and number of collared cougars in the Pine Ridge provide a safeguard against overharvest when hunting recommendations are made. Biologists do note, however, that the population is always fluctuating. Mountain lions reproduce, die and move in and out of the state. Based on Game and Parks research, individual cats with tracking collars have traveled as far as 20 miles in one day. They have established breeding ranges in the Pine Ridge, Niobrara Valley and Wildcat Hills, but with individual females documented in southeastern Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri and Tennessee, it is possible that cats will expand their home ranges into other territories. Nebraska contains highly suitable habitat along creeks and rivers from border to border. Getting the Picture on Pumas The following material has been obtained with invaluable assistance from Game and Parks' wildlife division employees, some who have moved on to other positions since the photos were taken. Certain imagery was captured with camera in hand, while some of the photos were snapped by a high- resolution camera trap system with external trigger and strobes. Regardless of which side of the mountain lion issue one stands, it seems there are no shortage of misunderstandings about this elusive species. Thanks to the research in Nebraska and elsewhere, we are continuing to answer questions that will help all gain a better understanding. ▲ Fresh mountain lion kill sites are usually not difficult to identify. This cat, photographed by camera trap in Dawes County, killed a mule deer in the upper right of the photo and dragged it under the pine tree at the left. She then covered it with snow, pine needles and other forest debris to create a cache. Canids, such as coyotes on the other hand, are much more sloppy eaters, scattering bones around the area and not attempting to conceal the remains. A mountain lion typically kills about one deer per week, or may consume a number of smaller prey such as porcupines, coyotes and turkeys.

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