WILDLIFE RESEARCHERS ONE STEP CLOSER TO DEVELOPING MOUNTAIN LION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM IN SOUTH TEXAS

(KINGSVILLE, December 13, 1996) -- Much remains unknown about one of South Texas' largest predators -- the mountain lion. Wildlife biologists and landowners, however, are cooperating on a research project that will bring them one step closer to a mountain lion management program in South Texas.

"The goal of the project is to gather baseline data on the ecology of the mountain lion population that will aid Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in developing a comprehensive management plan for this species," said Dr. Mike Tewes of the Feline Research Center at Texas A&M University-Kingsville's Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute.

Tewes, other researchers from the Kleberg Institute and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, along with interested landowners, have have been studying mountain lions on a 1,600 square mile area in South Texas since 1993.

An important aspect of the study includes determining home range of mountain lions using radio telemetry. Home range information can be used to determine the area needed by mountain lions to live in this particular region and provides information on how animals interact throughout the available habitat. Thus far, 17 mountain lions have been caught and radio-collared.

Preliminary analysis suggests that the home range of male lions is about 82 square miles whereas females average about 34 square miles. The study has also found that young mountain lions often disperse to new areas. Two radio-collared males moved from their maternal home range to areas 50 miles away, whereas two females moved about 10 miles.

Mountain lion food preferences in the region are another important aspect of the study.

"We have some interesting findings on food items selected by mountain lions," Tewes said. Of 69 carcasses identified as possible or probable mountain lion kills, 50 percent were white-tailed deer, 22 percent javelina, nine percent hog, and 16 percent other species (including seven sheep, two bobcats, one mountain lion, and one calf), suggesting that the main food items of mountain lions are wildlife species and not necessarily domestic livestock.

Apparently, mountain lions in south Texas also experience high mortality. Of the 17 study cats, two were shot by hunters, two died from neck snares in fences, and two died of unknown causes. Since 1993, researchers have received reports of 22 lions taken by hunters in the 1,600 square mile study area.

The study is being conducted by Louis Harveson, a Ph.D. student at A&M-Kingsville, under the direction of Tewes. Jimmy Rutledge is the project coordinator for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Project funding was provided by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, with additional support from the Rob and Bessie Welder Wildlife Foundation and the Boone and Crocket Club.

By using information obtained from this and other studies conducted by the Kleberg Institute and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, wildlife biologists say they can enhance the management program for this large predator of South Texas.

For more information call Dr. Mike Tewes at (512) 593-3922.

-TAMUK-
- Mary MacAdam