| dc.description.abstract | Cougars (Puma concolor) are the largest of the cats found in Canada. Abundant now only
in British Columbia and Alberta, cougars are possibly making a comeback in their former
eastern range. One ‘sighting’ (scat and tracks), of a cougar was confirmed from the
Whiskey Jack Forest during January and February 2000, Herb Lake location. I surveyed 37
kilometres of transects in the Whiskey Jack Forest to determine prey and habitat potential
to support a viable cougar population. Eleven transects located in the northern section of
Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) 7B, and 10 transects located in the southern section of
WMU 6 were surveyed. Combining the Silver Lake and Jones Study Areas, results showed
that ecosite 13 had the most abundant animal activity (1.94 animal tracks and trails/10m),
followed by ecosites 11 (1.66 animal tracks and trails/10m), rock (1.46 animal tracks and
trails/10m), ecosite 19 (1.42 animal tracks and trails/10m), and ecosite 14 (1.21 animal
tracks and trails/10m). Snowshoe hare, Lepus americamus, was the most abundant prey
species identified on all transects. Wolves, Canis lupus, a competitor of the cougar, were
also abundant on many of the transects, indicating possible competition for habitat and prey
resources. Deer (Odocoileus virginianus), the primary prey of cougar, were only found on
one transect, which could indicate possible problems for permanent cougar residence in this
area. Moose, Alces alces, however, were quite abundant on many of the transects and have
some potential to support the predators.
Whether or not the area can support cougars is unclear. Increasing the amount of time
(consecutive winters) allocated to the study and the size of the study area surveyed would
strengthen the study. | |
