<
https://phys.org/news/2024-01-california-mountain-lion-population-thousands.html>
'Scientists have completed the first comprehensive estimate of mountain lions
in California, a vital statistic needed to shape puma-friendly land-use
decisions and ensure that the predators can find room to roam, mate and find
prey.
The total number of mountain lions is estimated to be between 3,200 and 4,500,
which is thousands fewer than previously thought. The count was conducted by
state and university scientists who used GPS collar data and genetic
information from scat samples to model population densities across the Sierra
Nevada Mountains, the Mojave Desert and Southern California's patchwork of
weedy, fire-stripped wilderness.
"The greatest density is in the coastal forests of Humboldt and Mendocino
counties of Northwest California, and lowest is the high desert east of the
Sierra Nevada range in Inyo County," said Justin Dellinger, a large-carnivore
biologist and leader of the California Mountain Lion Project effort. "The
Central Valley and portions of the Mojave Desert have no mountain lions."
A report on the project's findings will be reviewed by experts prior to
publication in a scientific journal later this year.
"There's never been a study of this scale and over such a large and diverse
geographical area with such a variety of habitats," said Winston Vickers, a
co-author of the study and a veterinarian at the UC Davis Wildlife Health
Center.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife had for decades estimated that
the state's mountain lion population was roughly 6,000—even despite relentless
vehicle strikes, wildfires and encroachment by land-hungry humans throughout
their range.
"That old figure was just a back-of-the-envelope calculation without much data
to support it," Dellinger said. "The new, more accurate information we
collected will be used to conserve and manage mountain lions more
appropriately."'
Sad news but important work. Via Rod and Susan ✶✶✶✶
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
