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Predation by cougars (Puma concolor) variously can structure ecosystems and preserve biodiversity, engender conflict where livestock and pets are killed, and even drive prey populations to extinction. Effective management requires a firm grasp of the ecological drivers of predation, but these remain poorly understood due to difficulty obtaining sufficient data. My objective was to test hypotheses about drivers of predation in a population of wild cougars foraging in a multi-prey system in west-central Alberta, Canada. To obtain necessary data, I began by refining Global Positioning System (GPS) telemetry cluster techniques to monitor predation. I found that models alone were insufficient and that field visitation was required to estimate kill rate and prey composition accurately, but logistic regression models could direct field-work to improve efficiency, permitting continuous monitoring of cougar predation and generating large sample sizes. I assessed the role of scavenging as a foraging strategy and found that cougars scavenged opportunistically, reducing predation when carrion availability was high. Scavenging also made cougars susceptible to incidental snaring at wolf bait stations, and survival analysis revealed important consequences for cougar population trajectory and harvest management. I evaluated competing hypotheses about the magnitude of cougar predation and the influence of season and prey vulnerability on kill rate and prey composition. Cougars were effective predators, killing ungulates at rates near the upper end of the previously reported range. Cougar kill-rate increased by a factor of 1.5 in summer and cougars shifted prey composition seasonally as predicted by the juvenile and reproductive vulnerability hypotheses. Analysis of a multi-species functional response (MSFR) revealed that cougar impact on small populations of endangered prey is reduced by a tendency towards prey-switching but can be aggravated by the presence of individual specialists. Contrary to expectation, cougar MSFR was not driven by prey density, but rather by cougar demography and relative abundance of various prey. Finally, I reject the notion that cougars are nocturnal ambush predators, demonstrating instead that they hunt actively and make kills frequently during the day, exhibiting activity patterns loosely tied to those of their prey. I discuss the application of my findings for management and conservation. / Ecology

Pacing, a common form of stereotypy in captive animals, poses challenges for animal welfare and conservation initiatives. The current study used a comprehensive measurement system to investigate the impact of introducing a food-related activity on the daily patterns of multiple behaviors, including stereotypic pacing, in two zoo-housed cougars. The results showed that, while the intervention did not mitigate pacing overall, it did cause a shift in the cougars' routines. This demonstrated the significant influence of keeper behavior on the animals. Furthermore, the differing effects on each cougar's behaviors underscored the necessity for individualized interventions tailored to the specific needs of animals.

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Maintaining large carnivores in human-dominated landscapes poses a significant conservation challenge. Extirpation is common because of habitat loss or direct persecution. I studied cougar habitat selection and human perception of cougars in west-central Alberta to better understand human-cougar coexistence. Cougars that were exposed to higher levels of development at the home-range scale exhibited less avoidance of anthropogenic features and altered habitat use temporally to accommodate variation in human activity, indicating behavioral resilience to development. Survey results showed that cougars were valued and tolerated by people, provided cougars did not occur near residences. Where human densities are increasing in moderately developed landscapes in west-central Alberta, therefore, human tolerance may currently be more important than habitat change for conserving cougar populations. Tolerance was negatively affected primarily by the risk (real and perceived) cougars pose to people, livestock, and game. Public education to counteract overestimation of risk may increase tolerance. / Ecology

Much of the decline of the U.S. sheep industry has been attributed to losses caused by predators. Most predatory losses are inflicted on lambs rather than ewes. Losses have historically ranged from 4-8% of lamb crops, inflicting significant financial loss on ranchers. However, most research providing data on sheep predation is over 20 years old. Changes in the sheep industry as well as predation rates may make previous loss rates inapplicable to current conditions. Coyotes (Canis latrans) are the primary predator of concern when it comes to sheep losses, but increasingly, cougars (Felis concolor) and black bears (Ursus americanus) are reported to be responsible for an increased proportion of lamb losses. I replicated a sheep depredation study conducted during the early 1970s in southwestern Utah and compared the results of the two studies to reassess losses and the predator species responsible for those losses. Total lamb losses to all causes in my study were comparable to losses reported in the 1970s as well as categories of verified and estimated predator losses. There was a significant variation in lamb losses between the 2 years of my study due to an increase in predator kills on sheep. Cougar and bear depredations occurred at significantly higher rates during my study than during the 1970s but did not produce an additive effect to overall predator losses. Most lambs killed by predators were located on or near pasture bed grounds as reported by other studies, but a large number were found >500 m from bed grounds. Rough terrain and scavenging by California condors (Gymnogyps californianus) made location of missing sheep difficult. The ability of cougars and bears to remove sheep carcasses from kill sites made the finding of sheep carcasses more difficult and caused an underreporting of sheep killed by these predators. I found that the loss of sheep to predation continues to be a problem for the sheep industry and its magnitude was unchanged from historic predation levels.

The Cougar Creek / Northeast Interceptor Canal watershed is located within the Corporation of Delta and the City of Surrey. Urbanization has been affecting the natural dynamic and environmental conditions of this watershed. This study was conducted to provide a preliminary evaluation of the health of the Cougar Creek, which includes physicochemical and biological aspects of water quality, and to serve as the basis for the design of a more complex water quality monitoring program. A three-tiered methodological approach, which included a literature review, field measurements and statistical analyses, was used. The stream was monitored from Fall 2010 to Fall 2011 at Westview Drive and at Nicholson Road. Chemical constituents were monitored monthly and benthic macroinvertebrates were sampled in Spring 2011. Physical parameters were recorded continuously using automated samplers. Concentrations of constituents did not exceed the BC criteria for the protection of aquatic life, except for total cadmium. Parameters such as dissolved oxygen and temperature at Nicholson Road, and streamflow at both locations during the dry season were recorded at levels that can harm aquatic life. Statistic analysis indicated that differences in streamflow are associated with concentration changes in some of the constituents between the two sites. Analysis of the benthic community indicated that only tolerant organisms were present at the sites. Differences in habitats between the sites were identified which limited the stream’s health comparability. The study identified the need for collecting first flush events data in future research and recommends BMP that could enhance the stream’s environmental condition.

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Cougars (Puma concolor) have recently begun to reclaim former range and also are expanding into new territory. The Cypress Hills of southeast Alberta and southwest Saskatchewan now hosts the most eastern confirmed breeding population of cougars in Canada. However, with the return of cougars come new issues about human safety and risk of livestock depredation. Using GPS radiocollars, scat analysis, snowtracking and wildlife cameras, I found that the Cypress Hills boasts one of the highest densities of cougars ever reported, yet the large cats avoid human-use areas and have not been documented to prey on livestock. Using aerial ungulate survey data, I also show that the increase in cougar abundance is associated with a shift in distribution of nave ungulate prey to areas outside the park. Provided that cougars continue to avoid humans and cattle, this island habitat could prove to be an important stepping stone to further expansion eastward. / Ecology