Cougar habitat use and predation in a changing landscape

Cougars are one of the most important predators of BC’s large mammals, especially species valued for hunting. Yet, we know little about the habitat needs and responses of cougars to landscape disturbance and hunter harvest. In this project, we fit GPS-collars on 50 adult cougars in order to quantify their seasonal habitat use and predation rates of mule deer and other ungulates in relation to wildfires, roads, and forestry activity. Our project takes place across three study areas in southern British Columbia (Okanagan, Boundary, and East Kootenay) which overlap with ongoing studies on GPS-collared mule deer, white-tailed deer, and bighorn sheep. This project supports the British Columbia Wildlife Federation’s mission to understand threats to mule deer populations and the role of landscape change on predator-prey interactions to inform long-term habitat restoration initiatives.

Faculty Supervisor:

Adam Ford;Karen E Hodges

Student:

Partner:

BC Wildlife Federation

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Agriculture; Other services (except public administration)

University:

The University of British Columbia - Okanagan

Program: