01. Photographer pick: Jeff Wirth
Jeff is a conservation filmmaker, photographer, and certified wildlife tracker based in Jackson, Wyoming. He grew up “with a love for the wilderness, animals, and social and environmental justice,” volunteering with conservation organizations before turning his creative output of photography and filmmaking into his main form of activism. His work can be found at https://staywildmedia.com and https://instagram.com/staywildmedia.
They can be found in a variety of habitats, from deserts to forests, and are known for their ability to adapt to human presence. Despite this, mountain lions are very elusive and are rarely seen in the wild. Photo by Jeff Wirth
02. Article pick: Humans are the greatest peril to mountain lions. Can that change?
This article by Sean Greene in the Los Angeles Times tackles the causes of deaths of mountain lions living in California, and what measures can be taken to preserve the species. According to a study, human activities are the biggest threat to mountain lions in California by way of depredation killings, vehicle strikes, poaching and rodenticide poisoning. It also found that the cat’s movement and behavior were significantly impacted by human development, such as highways and housing. However, surprisingly it did find that mountain lions died less often in counties with more population, likely due to public opinion swaying local laws, as research found that places with environmental-leaning laws protected the lives of mountain lions better than those without laws like that in place.
Mountain lions have a unique vocalization that sounds like a scream, which they use to communicate with other mountain lions. Photo by Andy Holmes, Unsplash
03. Book pick: Path of the Puma: The Remarkable Resilience of the Mountain Lion
In “Path of the Puma: The Remarkable Resilience of the Mountain Lion,” author Jim Williams explores the life and survival of mountain lions in the face of human activity and climate change. The author, who has been studying the species for several years, shares his experiences and insights from tracking and observing these big cats in North and South America. The book covers a range of topics, including the mountain lion's role in the ecosystem, its behavior and communication, and the challenges it faces due to habitat loss and fragmentation. Williams also highlights conservation efforts and successful coexistence strategies between humans and mountain lions, while emphasizing the need for continued protection and preservation of these magnificent animals.
04. Video pick: See Why the Mysterious Mountain Lion Is the ‘Bigfoot’ of Big Cats
In this short film by Ben Masters, posted by National Geographic on Youtube, the secretive nature of mountain lions is discussed, focusing on the mountain lions of west Texas. This video highlights the importance of preserving their habitat and respecting their role in the ecosystem through interviews with experts who explain the biology and behavior of the mountain lion. It is an engrossing short, with many different topics highlighted during its seven minute runtime.
05. Quote of the Week
"The cougar is the American lion; and the grandest of North American wild animals."
— John Muir, naturalist