A tagged mountain lion shows its displeasure. Photo by George Mobley, Ntl. Geo.
Scientists estimate that the Santa Cruz Mountains are home to some 25 mountain lions. But as development encroaches into the forests, their territories are shrinking and even being split by roads and new housing developments. Now a team of UCSC researchers is attempting to identify where these majestic animals cross paths with human development. The scientists claim that usually, the animals try to avoid human contact, but that this is becoming increasingly difficult. For example, the big cats must often cross Bonny Doon Road or Highway 17 to get from one patch of wilderness to another. By tracking the mountain lions, the team hopes to develop a conservation master plan including wildlife corridors to protect the lions and their human neighbors. Read More at The Mercury News.
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Dana Scoby Tue, Dec 01, 2009 - 9:43 pm
I have a feeling there are more than 25 cats in the Santa Cruz Mt. area. On November 8, 2009 around 11 pm, we saw a female (no collar) and her 4-5 month old cub crossing Skyland Rd. near Miller Hill Rd. (1.5 miles from Summit and Soquel/San Jose Rds. The owner of the property where we saw the cats said he saw one at the end of Stetson near Soquel/San Jose Rd. recently. A few years back, a hiker found a dead cub on the Adams Ridge trail near Stetson and Longridge Rds. And a neighbor of ours saw a cat at the bottom of our driveway in the same area. They’re out there. Please mark the map!