IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group Library

IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library

View printer friendly
Moriarty, J.G.; Whited, L.; Sikich, J.A.; Riley, S.P.D.
Use of Intraperitoneal Radiotransmitters to Study Mountain Lion (_Puma concolor_) Kittens
2012 Wildlife Society Bulletin (36): 161-166
Implantation of radiotransmitters in juvenile carnivores allows researchers to study little-known life stages. In the field, we successfully implanted 7 mountain lion (_Puma concolor_) kittens from 2 litters in the Santa Monica Mountains (Los Angeles and Venura Co., CA), 1 in 2004 and 1 in 2010, with iintraperitioneal very high frequency radiotransmitters. We used Global Positioning System location data downloaded from their mothers' collars to locate the dens in their absence, and we hand-captured the kittens promptly afterward. The transmitters allowed us to track these young mountain lions for 13-17 months, from neonates to subadults. Upon necropsy of 3 of the individuals as subadults, the implants appeared to have had no negative impacts on the animals. Implantable radiotransmitters provide a safe and effective method for following young mountain lions.
	PDF files are only accessible to Friends of the Cat Group. Joining Friends of the Cat Group gives you unlimited access and downloads in the Cat SG Library for one year, and allows you to receive our newsletter Cat News (2 regular issues per year plus special issues). More information how to join here