IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Ghikas, D.M.; Jalkotzy, M.G.; Ross, P.I. | |
| Variation in Cougar (_Puma concolor_) Survival by Individual Traits, Density, and Seasonal Weather | |
| 2007 Conference Proceeding | |
Vital rates (survivorship, fecundity) and migration rates of an animal population determine its size and composition, and represent the aggregate life-history performances of its constituents. Understanding how individual traits, population characteristics, and extrinsic factors influence survivorship and fecundity is essential for predicting population dynamics and effective conservation. It can also reveal valuable insights about life-history strategies. To examine how survival varied with a cougar's identity (e.g., age, sex) and behaviour (e.g., habitat use), density, and seasonal weather, I analysed long-term data from a hunted population of cougars in SW Alberta studied by Jalkotzy and Ross during 1981-1994. Habitat use was measured in a novel way which accounted for extreme behaviour. I developed generalized-linear models to identify different influences on cougar survival. Cougars died mostly during winter. Recently-independent offspring, older individuals (>8 yrs), and males, experienced greater mortality. During winter, survival increased significantly if cougars frequented habitats >1.4 km (female) or >2.2 km (male) from a highway, between 1445-1678 m (female) or 1513-1646 m (male) elevation, and with <33% (female) or <41% (male) closed-canopy cover (>50% and >45% open-canopy cover) within 1 km2 of a cougar's location. Winter survival was higher during dry winters and following wet springs. Density-dependent effects on winter survival were not evident. |
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