Current work in wildlife, rivers, public lands, and climate

Thursday, January 8, 2009
Game and Fish Posts Online Cougar-Identification Course

New Mexico is Second State in U.S.
Contact: WildEarth Guardians

SANTA FE, N.M. – Late yesterday, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Commission posted its online cougar-hunting identification program-making New Mexico the second state in the U.S to do so-after Colorado. New Mexico’s hunting season has been in progress since October, but ends in March.

“Designed to teach cougar hunters how to distinguish between male and female cougars, the program embraces a sound conservation principle – to protect breeding females and their dependent kittens,” said Wendy Keefover Ring of WildEarth Guardians. “We encourage all hunters and the public to take the online course-it’s a great educational tool.”

Female cougars give birth to approximately 3 kittens every other year. They spend between 11 to 24 months raising and provisioning their kittens.

In their first months of life, kittens rarely travel with their mother – so hunters cannot know if they have unintentionally killed mother cats and caused orphaning of dependent young, leaving kittens to starve.

Most cougars give birth to their young during the summer and fall months. New Mexico’s general cougar hunting season runs from October to March, which means that 50% of breeding females (the ones with the young of the year) are vulnerable and require special protection.

Over the past several years, New Mexico cougar hunters have killed females in the range between 40 and 50 percent, a rate that is likely unsustainable for a slow-breeding species.

“Majestic, beautiful and wild, cougars require special protections because they are fairly rare on the landscape,” said Keefover-Ring. “This online course not only enhances cougar conservation and teaches natural history, it comports with New Mexicans’ desire to protect young kittens from starvation and death.”

Take the Online Education Course: http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/index.htm

View the Living with Cougars Brochure here.