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Mountain lion
populations face a perilous future across the West, according
to a new report available by clicking here.
Sinapu, a Colorado-based carnivore conservation group, compiled
data and studies from 12 western states (AZ, CA, CO, ID, MT,
NV, NM, OR, TX, UT, WA, and WY) and concluded that puma populations
may be in grave trouble if state game and fish agencies do
not change their management policies.
“These
golden cats are killed in astonishingly high numbers across
the West by trophy hunters,” said Wendy Keefover-Ring
of Sinapu. “Add to that, their habitat and prey base
is fast vanishing. Even the West’s vast network of roads
contributes to their demise. We’re potentially approaching
a crises in terms of the lack of pumas in the West.”
Pumas require
expansive habitats because they are an “obligate”
carnivore; that is, they only eat meat, unlike coyotes or
black bears which can survive on a variety of flora as well
as fauna. Mountain lions are considered “ambush predators”
because they stalk and ambush their prey after running short
distances. Because of this, their habitat needs are fairly
specific. They cannot live in dense forests or on open prairies—limiting
their numbers further.
“No state
knows how many pumas they have, because counting them is impossible
under present scientific techniques; yet, most states have
allowed the hunting of these rare creatures to escalate at
an alarming rate,” said Keefover-Ring. “Even females
go virtually unprotected and this has resulted in a high rate
of orphaned kittens.”
In Colorado,
the number of mountain lions killed by sport hunters has increased
by about 400 percent since 1980. Utah has increased its lion
kill by about 100 percent since about 1989. Relatively inexpensive
hunting tag fees drive these dramatic increases, in part.
The report shows that in nine western states, the average
resident hunting tag is $20 with non-resident tags costing
about $190. Compared to other big game licenses, these prices
are a real bargain, the report reveals.
With the exception
of Oregon, western states are not generating revenue from
lion hunting because the tag prices are rock bottom. Oregon
is making up for low prices by high sales, the report shows.
These low tag fees and high kill rates completely overlook
the ecological value of pumas.
“Mountain
lions are an umbrella species. If we protect them, we will
conserve habitat for a myriad of other plants and animals—all
necessary for functioning, healthy ecosystems,” said
Keefover-Ring. “What is the legacy that we want to leave
our grandchildren? We hope it’s a West full of the native
species that make up the region’s wild, natural heritage.”
More information:
Contact Wendy Keefover-Ring, Director, Carnivore Protection
Program
Sinapu
303.447.8655, Ext. 1, #
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