IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Howard, A. | |
| Arizona Game and Fish Report | |
| 2014 Conference Proceeding | |
Research has shown that predation by mountain lions can limit bighorn sheep populations and impede restoration efforts or induce population decline. After mountain lions colonized southwestern Arizona in the early 2000's, bighorn sheep populations in that area declined by 50%. In 2013, a translocation of 31 bighorn sheep into southeastern Arizona, which once contained a robust and indigenous population of desert bighorn sheep, were quickly reduced to 14 within 4 months. After analyses of the probable causes of the sheep decline in both areas predation by mountain lions was identified as one factor that could potentially be limiting the recovery of the bighorn sheep populations. Arizona implemented Adaptive Mountain Lion Predation Management Plans for each site. An important component of each Plan is to use research and monitoring approaches to increase knowledge and to evaluate management actions across a broader area of these lower desert habitats. Although it is premature to form any conclusions, current information collected from collared sheep and mountain lions, and survey data are used to implement and evaluate management strategies such as "offending" lion removal, multiple bag limits, and mountain lion management zones. |
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(c) IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group ( IUCN - The World Conservation Union) |