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By Matt Jones, Cougar Technician March 28th, 2021 My name is Matt Jones and I started working with the Southern BC Cougar Project team part-time in January 2021. I have a background in commercial salmon fishing, working as a co-op student with the Provincial Government’s Fish, Wildlife, and Ecosystems branches and as a field biologist for consulting companies in British Columbia and Alberta. I am a passionate conservationist and volunteer with the BC Wildlife Federation and the Wild Sheep Society of BC. I am fortunate to work with my long-time friend Kieran Braid on this project. We are both originally from Summerland, BC, and he and I have been friends since high school. We have lived as neighbors and roommates for the past few years in our pursuit of wildlife jobs, often working on similar projects, but this is our first time working together! As field technicians, our job is to investigate cougar kill sites, and collect habitat data. These data will be used to assess the impacts of wildfire, forestry, and roads on cougar habitat use and diet. Winter kill sites are typically accessed by snowmobiling and snowshoeing. Kieran and I both learned to drive snowmobiles this winter with help from provincial wildlife biologist TJ Gooliaff. Importantly, we learned how to manoeuver with a lot of gear and how to get unstuck when the machine sinks down to the headlights! Accessing sites using a 4X4 truck, snowmobile, and snowshoes requires planning and a lot of improvisation. The Okanagan winters are highly variable with rapidly changing snow conditions and freezing temperatures. We experienced daytime temperatures of -15 to -20 ᵒC in early February, and by the end of the month, they were as high as +10 ᵒC. Melting snow and bare soil in lower elevations can prevent snowmobile access and choosing when to bring the trailer with the snowmobiles is an interesting factor in field planning and preparation. For example, when completing clusters above Peachland, we backed the truck and trailer down two kilometres of a forest road to find suitable conditions for the snowmobiles. Once we offloaded the snowmobiles from the trailer, we ascended approximately 500 m where snow became too heavy for access and snowshoes were the only option! Kieran and I have thoroughly enjoyed the problem-solving aspect of the job and the stark contrast to our regular summer positions. As the spring melt begins, we find ourselves missing the winter as snowy roads turn to mud and the snowmobiles go back into storage. An exciting aspect of conducting winter kill site investigations is witnessing every move that predator and prey make during a predation event. After a fresh snowfall, southern BC’s mature pine and fir-dominated forests offer a blank canvass from which the battles between predator and prey can be easily observed. One day in February, we investigated a fresh kill from a six-year-old female cougar named Bobtail who was GPS-collared in December 2019. She has a reputation for punching above her weight class, taking down adult moose and mule deer in her established territory. Kieran and I snowmobiled and snowshoed our way to her latest kill and discovered a dead mule deer buck pushed up against a log. As we approached, we saw sign all around us; the battle started in the saddle of two hills and a struggle had ensued with neither animal backing down. Bobtail eventually overpowered her opponent, dragging the buck 100 meters through the snow to feast at the base of a tree. We observed tracks and drag marks leading up to an intact carcass with plenty of meat left. We worked quickly to set up a camera to monitor her activity and detect any scavengers benefiting from her latest meal. Seeing the story spread across the landscape was incredible and it signified nature’s true intensity. Witnessing these interactions has allowed me to gain a better understanding of predator-prey dynamics. While working on the project I have learned many new skills applicable to wildlife research and management. More specifically, I've collected standardized data for a variety of interrelated variables. It has also improved my field skills including problem-solving and teamwork. Winter wildlife work has been extremely rewarding and I’m fortunate to have learned how to snowmobile, allowing me to explore more of the beautiful Okanagan. I hope to apply these skills to my future positions in the wildlife field. My overall career aspiration is to make a positive difference and influence the public’s perception of wildlife. These complex systems exist only in functional ecosystems which provide clean air and water for humans. It is important to highlight the importance of these systems and the Southern BC Cougar Project is doing just that. I hope to complete a Master’s Degree in wildlife sciences in the near future to further my experience in the wildlife management field.
1 Comment
8/18/2023 01:53:42 am
Brilliant article! This in-depth exploration of wildlife services is an eye-opener for anyone seeking to understand the delicate balance between humans and nature. The insights shared here offer valuable knowledge for coexisting harmoniously with wildlife. Kudos to the author for shedding light on such an important topic!
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Authors
The authors are Southern BC Cougar Project team members & volunteers. Past Blog Entries
September 2023
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