Grand Staircase-Escalante Cougar Project

The Project will undertake comprehensive research using non-invasive methods to describe the population structure of mountain lions in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (GSENM), Southern Utah. As part of this work, we will track individual mountain lions to quantify population density and health, measure genetic diversity and relatedness, explore social and behavioral patterns, and ultimately, advance our understanding of the unique role played by this species in this landscape. By comparing lion populations in the GSENM with those previously studied in Western Montana and Northern Utah, our work will provide valuable insights into how various environmental factors, including prey availability and human disturbance influence mountain lion behavior and social organization.

Findings will inform wildlife management strategies, hunting and trapping regulations, and conservation efforts.

The project also aims to engage local communities, raise awareness about mountain lion ecology and conservation, and foster positive attitudes toward coexistence with mountain lions. The project will also be documented as part of a film. 

Urgency:

The health and stability of mountain lion populations is vital for maintaining ecological balance and preserving biodiversity within the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (GSENM). However, knowledge about lion population dynamics, health, and behavior in the GSENM is limited. Year-round hunting and trapping are likely to have negative impacts on population sustainability.

Without baseline data on lion population health and density, land management agencies often rely on inaccurate estimates, hindering the ability to make informed decisions about species management, habitat preservation, and human-wildlife conflict mitigation. Despite their critical role in maintaining ecological balance, mountain lions are often misunderstood and viewed as threats by local communities in southern Utah. This perception fosters fear, distrust, and persecution by sport hunting and lethal control measures.

There is a critical need for a comprehensive study to better understand mountain lion population dynamics, survival rates, territorial behaviors, and interactions with human communities.

Improved public education and awareness about mountain ecology is needed, particularly in Utah, where hunting and trapping are permitted year-round with few restrictions. This research is vital for the long-term survival of mountain lions in GSENM and for advancing broader conservation efforts across the region.

What are we doing:

The GSE Cougar Project uses non-invasive genetic mark-recapture protocols to assess the population health and abundance in the GSENM. We will track individuals over time to determine relatedness, recruitment rates, behavior, habitat use, and social organization.

Research Questions:

• How many mountain lions live in the GSENM?
• What is the average kitten survival rate?
• Do lions select for certain habitat types? How does this vary over time? What habitat and human-related factors influence this?
• Do lions show preference for certain prey species? And how does this change seasonally?
• Do unrelated individuals share resources? How socially tolerant are lions in the GSENM?

We will opportunistically collect hair and scat and extract DNA from samples to determine species ID, family groups, and determine kitten survival rates. Repeated non-invasive sampling over time allows us to identify residents, track relatedness, and better understand social organization. Images from camera traps will supplement this data collection allowing us to monitor animal behavior.

Education and outreach are vital components to this project.  To improve awareness about mountain lions and other wildlife in the region, community engagement efforts will be a large part of this work. In partnership with Inspired Classroom, a curriculum about pumas will be delivered to K-12 students in surrounding schools. The project will also be documented as part of a film. 

Ultimately, this work will improve our scientific understanding of lion behavior and movement in a changing landscape, with increasing levels of encroachment from human development.

Utah Mountain Lion Conservation: Provides expertise in cougar conservation, human-wildlife interactions, and outreach, supporting the project’s field efforts and educational components. UMC brings vital skills in GIS, allowing us to produce detailed story maps, habitat maps, and to illustrate land use patterns. They also offer valuable experience in camera trapping and survey methods.

Rocky Mountain Research Station (RMRS): Offers scientific support for genetic analysis and ecological data interpretation, enhancing the project’s research rigor.

Grand Staircase Escalante Partners (GSEP): Collaborates on conservation initiatives in GSENM and supports the integration of this research with broader ecosystem conservation efforts.

Bureau of Land Management (BLM): Provides land management expertise and ensures the project complies with regulations governing the GSENM.

Inspired Classroom: Partners in the development of K-12 educational curricula,bringing the science of mountain lion research into classrooms and virtual learning experiences.