Abstract
We compiled and analyzed 24 years (1972-1995) of verified incidents of mountain lions killing domestic animals (n = 2,663) to examine trend, distribution, and types of conflicts in California. To model the relationships between mountain lion depredation and various human activity and habitat factors, we tested 2 predictive models. Domestic sheep depredation in counties was significantly (P < 0.05) related to amount of suitable mountain lion habitat. We hypothesize that increasing domestic sheep depredation may reflect regional increases in the distribution and abundance of mountain lions. A regression model of percent pet depredation indicated a significant (P < 0.05) association with average annual new house development (1979-1993). Counties with significant pet depredation are in the same regions where public safety problems have occurred and reflect a radiation of human activity into mountain lion habitat. Mountain lion depredation data may be a useful index of regional mountain lion activity. Livestock and pet depredation problems are increasing in different regions of the state for different reasons; pet depredations are increasing the most rapidly. Pet depredation may be a useful indicator of mountain lion proximity to humans.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 451-460 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Wildlife Society Bulletin |
| Volume | 24 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| State | Published - 1996 |
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Keywords
- California
- depredation
- development
- domestic sheep
- human activity
- livestock
- mountain lion
- pets
- Puma concolor
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Animal Science and Zoology
- Ecology