Scat dogs lead first-ever mountain lion survey in Pine Ridge
Two dogs trained to detect mountain lion droppings helped the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission complete its first population study of the big cats in the Pine Ridge area in northwest Nebraska.
Mountain lions have been recolonizing Nebraska for the past 20 years, and the only known breeding population is in Pine Ridge, said Sam Wilson, the agency's non-game mammal and fur-bearing program manager.
Commission staff wanted to get an estimate of the mountain lion population and suitable habitat, so they decided to use dogs trained to detect mountain lion droppings -- known as scat.Two dogs and handlers were hired from PackLeader LLC in Gig Harbor, Wash. They, along with commission employees, spent about two weeks walking trails and canyons in Sioux, Dawes and Sheridan counties. The dogs were equipped with GPS collars for easy tracking.
By studying DNA material from scat, researchers can find out how many mountain lions are in an area, their genders and how they are related to each other, Wilson told commissioners. Of the 134 scat samples collected by the teams, 60 were identified as belonging to mountain lions, he said. Of those, 33 were sent to a laboratory for detailed genetic analysis.
The study results showed that 13 mountain lions -- eight males and five females -- make up the resident breeding population in Pine Ridge. Two reproducing females were identified. Based on scat studies and other information, Wilson estimated that the Pine Ridge area had a current population of 19 mountain lions.Pine Ridge, with its pine trees and canyons, has the most suitable habitat for mountain lions in the state. Wilson estimated that the area could support 25 mountain lions, which prey mainly on deer.
Since 1991, the commission has recorded 49 mountain lions outside the Pine Ridge area. Some have moved eastward, using streams and rivers as highways. One was captured in Omaha.
"No other states near Nebraska are doing this kind of research," Wilson told the commission. More surveys will be done this spring.
Mountain lions have been recolonizing Nebraska for the past 20 years, and the only known breeding population is in Pine Ridge, said Sam Wilson, the agency's non-game mammal and fur-bearing program manager.
Commission staff wanted to get an estimate of the mountain lion population and suitable habitat, so they decided to use dogs trained to detect mountain lion droppings -- known as scat.Two dogs and handlers were hired from PackLeader LLC in Gig Harbor, Wash. They, along with commission employees, spent about two weeks walking trails and canyons in Sioux, Dawes and Sheridan counties. The dogs were equipped with GPS collars for easy tracking.
By studying DNA material from scat, researchers can find out how many mountain lions are in an area, their genders and how they are related to each other, Wilson told commissioners. Of the 134 scat samples collected by the teams, 60 were identified as belonging to mountain lions, he said. Of those, 33 were sent to a laboratory for detailed genetic analysis.
The study results showed that 13 mountain lions -- eight males and five females -- make up the resident breeding population in Pine Ridge. Two reproducing females were identified. Based on scat studies and other information, Wilson estimated that the Pine Ridge area had a current population of 19 mountain lions.Pine Ridge, with its pine trees and canyons, has the most suitable habitat for mountain lions in the state. Wilson estimated that the area could support 25 mountain lions, which prey mainly on deer.
Since 1991, the commission has recorded 49 mountain lions outside the Pine Ridge area. Some have moved eastward, using streams and rivers as highways. One was captured in Omaha.
"No other states near Nebraska are doing this kind of research," Wilson told the commission. More surveys will be done this spring.
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