![]() Yet, mountain lions also increase biological diversity and likely increase the ecological resilience and health of the ecosystems they inhabit (Barry et al. ![]() 2017), and pose real and perceived risks to people, pets and livestock (Wolfe et al. Mountain lions compete with humans for space, ungulates, and other resources (Elbroch et al. Mountain lions ( Puma concolor), also called cougars, pumas and Florida panthers, are a wide-ranging, large felid in the western hemisphere, and a species often in the cross hairs of conservation management conundrums (Mitchell et al. The general public has also increasingly called on state and federal wildlife agencies to be more inclusive and transparent in their decision-making and actions with regards to wildlife management, and carnivore management in particular (Jacobson and Decker 2008, Treves et al. Today, people are more tolerant of large carnivores than a century ago, and more aware of the ecological benefits of living with carnivores (Chapron et al. A management plan is both necessary to fulfill state mandates for the protection of nongame species, as well as to build a science-based conservation strategy for the species.Ĭultural values continue to evolve in the U.S. Ultimately, we present evidence to suggest that it is time to actively manage mountain lions in Texas and for the TPWD to create a management plan for the species. Public support, including among rural communities, is good for both mountain lions and TPWD. Internally, TPWD has repeatedly discussed initiating a mountain lion management policy, the benefits of requiring mandatory reporting for all mountain lion mortalities, as well as the unreliable nature of sightings data, which they have historically used as a metric for abundance. Similarly, adult female mountain lion survival in Texas suggests that populations were likely declining when the studies were active. ![]() Anthropogenic mortality rates in Texas are among the highest in the U.S., and well beyond the suggested harvest rates recommended to maintain stable mountain lion populations. To date, genetic research supports 2 distinct mountain lion populations, one west of the Pecos River and another in South Texas, which evidence suggests is suffering from isolation and is in immediate risk of extinction. Here, we summarize historical research on mountain lions in Texas, human perceptions about the species, and historical discussions within Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) about mountain lion management obtained via the Public Information Act (Texas Government Code, Ch. state in which there are breeding populations of mountain lions offer the species some level of protection, except Texas. Mountain lions, also called cougars, pumas and Florida panthers, are a wide-ranging, large felid in the western hemisphere. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |