About
Southern BC Cougar Project
Cougars (Puma concolor) are the most wide-ranging carnivore in the Americas, requiring large, well-connected habitat and sources of ungulate prey to maintain stable populations.
In southern British Columbia, cougars are understudied predators of declining mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and other large ungulates. The landscape is characterized by land modification from wildfire, urbanization, forestry, and roads that may influence cougar habitat use and prey choice. Where cougars kill their prey may further influence scavenging communities that benefit from carrion.
Research Objectives
In southern British Columbia, cougars are understudied predators of declining mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and other large ungulates. The landscape is characterized by land modification from wildfire, urbanization, forestry, and roads that may influence cougar habitat use and prey choice. Where cougars kill their prey may further influence scavenging communities that benefit from carrion.
Research Objectives
- Collect baseline data on cougar densities, territory size, dispersal, and survival
- Quantify cougar diet composition and selection of ungulate prey (mule deer, moose etc.)
- Examine the role of patchy disturbances (e.g. wildfire, forestry, roads) on cougar habitat use
- Examine the diversity and interactions of scavenging communities at cougar kill sites
How are we doing it?
We deployed GPS collars on 51 adult cougars across three study areas in southern British Columbia: the West Okanagan, Boundary, and East Kootenay regions between December 2019 and August 2023.
With the help of field crews and volunteers, we investigated over 1400 potential cougar kill sites and documented 930 prey remains, 18 cougar dens, and bed sites. We ear-marked 42 cougar kittens to monitor their survival using trail cameras. We further installed trail cameras at 150 fresh kills to detect scavenging behaviour, and classified over 246,000 images.
The project is currently in the final phase analyzing data.
Our Impact
Our research will inform provincial wildlife managers on the effects of large-scale disturbances on cougar predation patterns in British Columbia. We will provide insight on cougar population demographics while contributing cutting edge research to our scientific understanding of cougar ecology.
We deployed GPS collars on 51 adult cougars across three study areas in southern British Columbia: the West Okanagan, Boundary, and East Kootenay regions between December 2019 and August 2023.
With the help of field crews and volunteers, we investigated over 1400 potential cougar kill sites and documented 930 prey remains, 18 cougar dens, and bed sites. We ear-marked 42 cougar kittens to monitor their survival using trail cameras. We further installed trail cameras at 150 fresh kills to detect scavenging behaviour, and classified over 246,000 images.
The project is currently in the final phase analyzing data.
Our Impact
Our research will inform provincial wildlife managers on the effects of large-scale disturbances on cougar predation patterns in British Columbia. We will provide insight on cougar population demographics while contributing cutting edge research to our scientific understanding of cougar ecology.
Collaboration
The Southern BC Cougar Project is a collaboration between the University of British Columbia Okanagan and the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resources Operations and Rural Development (FLNRORD). We thank our project partners and funders including the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation (HCTF), Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC), the British Columbia Conservation Foundation (BCCF), Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA), the British Columbia Wildlife Federation (BCWF), Abbotsford Fish and Game Club, MITACS Accelerate, the Oceola Fish and Game Club, and the Summerland Sportmen's Association. This project is supported in the field by local hound handlers and a large team of dedicated volunteers.
The Southern BC Cougar Project is a collaboration between the University of British Columbia Okanagan and the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resources Operations and Rural Development (FLNRORD). We thank our project partners and funders including the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation (HCTF), Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC), the British Columbia Conservation Foundation (BCCF), Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA), the British Columbia Wildlife Federation (BCWF), Abbotsford Fish and Game Club, MITACS Accelerate, the Oceola Fish and Game Club, and the Summerland Sportmen's Association. This project is supported in the field by local hound handlers and a large team of dedicated volunteers.
Publications
1. Mowat, G., S. Darlington, S. Wilson, L. Vander Vennen, TJ Gooliaff, and S. MacIver. 2023. A Review of Cougar Biology and Management in British Columbia. Prov. B.C., Victoria, B.C. Tech. Rep. 150. (PDF) Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/377236263_A_Review_of_Cougar_Biology_and_Management_in_British_Columbia [accessed Jan 09 2024].
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