[pct-l] Mountain Lion Attack

[Jeff Moorehead]

 To my knowledge, while there may be a correlation, no data exists which 
supports causation-- i.e. that mountain lion populations are increasing due 
to an increase in elk number. If this were the case,  then why aren' 
mountain lions checking the increasing elk numbers? Nor is there hard data 
supporting the notion that mountain lions are 'decimating' deer populations. 
Mountain lions, like most  large predators, tend to prey on individuals with 
low reproductive value to the population (old, sick or very young) -- those 
that typically constitute a small percentage of a growing population. It is 
unlikely that an increase in the number of healthy elk or healthy deer would 
cause an increase in survivorship among lion kits such that a direct 
causation in their numbers could be assigned. As far as I know, there is no 
predator-prey cycle that exists between mountain lions and deer.

The cause of increased confrontation between humans and lions seems to be a 
bit more complicated. Low-density development is one such cause-- even in 
areas that don't seem to be expanding into lion habitat. Migration of lone 
males is part of the life cycle and a typical male lion's territory is 500 
square miles. If we continue to carve up mountain lion habitat so the 'fern 
feelers' can make their dream a reality, then we will invariably have to 
increase the hunting pressure on mountain lions. Chalk one up for Elevator.

 In the case of  Sierra bighorns, the population is numerically endangered 
due to distemper and food depletion introduced by domestic sheep, and by 
'cullijng of range pests' back in the day (same fate as antelope). Now, with 
such small numbers to initiate a recovery, every death by a mountain lion 
disadvantages the sheep demographically. Also, there are 'non-lethal' 
predation effects taking a toll as well, such as the failure of sheep to 
inhabit sites with high productivity due to the perceived presence of 
predators.  Clearly, we should reinstitute lion hunting in these areas to 
allow the sheep population to increase.  Chalk another one up for Elevator. 
Things are so utterly out-of-whack, it would be impossible to leave it alone 
and expect the best.