Evidence Confirms the Presence of Cougars (<em>Puma concolor</em>) in Ontario, Canada

A study was initiated to collect and collate evidence to resolve the long-standing question of whether free-ranging Cougars (Puma concolor) exist on the Ontario landscape. A total of 497 pieces of evidence confirmed that Cougars were present in Ontario during the period 1991 to 2010. That evidence included 21 pieces of class 1 evidence (scat, hair, DNA, tracks, photographs of a Cougar), 13 class 2 sightings (by qualified observers such as biologists), and 463 class 3 sightings (credible sightings by unqualified observers). The evidence presented in this paper indicates the presence in Ontario of free-ranging Cougars of unknown origin.

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Feline Foamy Virus is Highly Prevalent in Free-Ranging Puma concolor from Colorado, Florida and Southern California

Viruses ◽

10.3390/v11040359 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 359 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Sarah R. Kechejian ◽

Nick Dannemiller ◽

Simona Kraberger ◽

Carmen Ledesma-Feliciano ◽

Jennifer Malmberg ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Southern California ◽

Viral Infections ◽

Puma Concolor ◽

Foamy Virus ◽

Significant Risk ◽

Significant Risk Factor ◽

Domestic Cat ◽

Wild Populations ◽

High Prevalence ◽

Free Ranging

Feline foamy virus (FFV) is a retrovirus that has been detected in multiple feline species, including domestic cats (Felis catus) and pumas (Puma concolor). FFV results in persistent infection but is generally thought to be apathogenic. Sero-prevalence in domestic cat populations has been documented in several countries, but the extent of viral infections in nondomestic felids has not been reported. In this study, we screened sera from 348 individual pumas from Colorado, Southern California and Florida for FFV exposure by assessing sero-reactivity using an FFV anti-Gag ELISA. We documented a sero-prevalence of 78.6% across all sampled subpopulations, representing 69.1% in Southern California, 77.3% in Colorado, and 83.5% in Florida. Age was a significant risk factor for FFV infection when analyzing the combined populations. This high prevalence in geographically distinct populations reveals widespread exposure of puma to FFV and suggests efficient shedding and transmission in wild populations.

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Notoedric Mange in Two Free-ranging Mountain Lions (Puma concolor)

Journal of Wildlife Diseases ◽

10.7589/0090-3558-43.2.274 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 43 (2) ◽

pp. 274-278 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Francisco A. Uzal ◽

Robin S. Houston ◽

Seth P. D. Riley ◽

Robert Poppenga ◽

Jenee Odani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Puma Concolor ◽

Mountain Lions ◽

Free Ranging ◽

Notoedric Mange

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Gastrointestinal Helminths of Free-ranging Florida Panthers (Puma concolor coryi) and the Efficacy of the Current Anthelmintic Treatment Protocol

Journal of Wildlife Diseases ◽

10.7589/0090-3558-42.2.402 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 42 (2) ◽

pp. 402-406 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Garry W. Foster ◽

Mark W. Cunningham ◽

John M. Kinsella ◽

Grace McLaughlin ◽

Donald J. Forrester

Keyword(s):

Puma Concolor ◽

Treatment Protocol ◽

Anthelmintic Treatment ◽

Gastrointestinal Helminths ◽

Free Ranging ◽

Puma Concolor Coryi

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Energetics and evasion dynamics of large predators and prey: pumasvs.hounds

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.3701 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 5 ◽

pp. e3701 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Caleb M. Bryce ◽

Christopher C. Wilmers ◽

Terrie M. Williams

Keyword(s):

Puma Concolor ◽

Ecosystem Structure ◽

Canis Lupus Familiaris ◽

Predator Prey ◽

Gps Collars ◽

Physiological Constraints ◽

Energy Demands ◽

Group Hunting ◽

Large Predators ◽

Free Ranging

Quantification of fine-scale movement, performance, and energetics of hunting by large carnivores is critical for understanding the physiological underpinnings of trophic interactions. This is particularly challenging for wide-ranging terrestrial canid and felid predators, which can each affect ecosystem structure through distinct hunting modes. To compare free-ranging pursuit and escape performance from group-hunting and solitary predators in unprecedented detail, we calibrated and deployed accelerometer-GPS collars during predator-prey chase sequences using packs of hound dogs (Canis lupus familiaris, 26 kg,n = 4–5 per chase) pursuing simultaneously instrumented solitary pumas (Puma concolor, 60 kg,n = 2). We then reconstructed chase paths, speed and turning angle profiles, and energy demands for hounds and pumas to examine performance and physiological constraints associated with cursorial and cryptic hunting modes, respectively. Interaction dynamics revealed how pumas successfully utilized terrain (e.g., fleeing up steep, wooded hillsides) as well as evasive maneuvers (e.g., jumping into trees, running in figure-8 patterns) to increase their escape distance from the overall faster hounds (avg. 2.3× faster). These adaptive strategies were essential to evasion in light of the mean 1.6× higher mass-specific energetic costs of the chase for pumas compared to hounds (mean: 0.76vs.1.29 kJ kg−1 min−1, respectively). On an instantaneous basis, escapes were more costly for pumas, requiring exercise at ≥90% of predicted $\dot {\mathrm{V }}{\mathrm{O}}_{2\mathrm{MAX}}$ and consuming as much energy per minute as approximately 5 min of active hunting. Our results demonstrate the marked investment of energy for evasion by a large, solitary carnivore and the advantage of dynamic maneuvers to postpone being overtaken by group-hunting canids.

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Molecular detection of viral agents in free-ranging and captive neotropical felids in Brazil

Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation ◽

10.1177/1040638717720245 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 29 (5) ◽

pp. 660-668 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mariana M. Furtado ◽

Sueli A. Taniwaki ◽

Iracema N. de Barros ◽

Paulo E. Brandão ◽

José L. Catão-Dias ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

Molecular Detection ◽

Puma Concolor ◽

Leukemia Virus ◽

Feline Leukemia Virus ◽

Molecular Testing ◽

Domestic Cats ◽

Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

Free Ranging ◽

Feline Coronavirus

We describe molecular testing for felid alphaherpesvirus 1 (FHV-1), carnivore protoparvovirus 1 (CPPV-1), feline calicivirus (FCV), alphacoronavirus 1 (feline coronavirus [FCoV]), feline leukemia virus (FeLV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), and canine distemper virus (CDV) in whole blood samples of 109 free-ranging and 68 captive neotropical felids from Brazil. Samples from 2 jaguars ( Panthera onca) and 1 oncilla ( Leopardus tigrinus) were positive for FHV-1; 2 jaguars, 1 puma ( Puma concolor), and 1 jaguarundi ( Herpairulus yagouaroundi) tested positive for CPPV-1; and 1 puma was positive for FIV. Based on comparison of 103 nucleotides of the UL24-UL25 gene, the FHV-1 sequences were 99–100% similar to the FHV-1 strain of domestic cats. Nucleotide sequences of CPPV-1 were closely related to sequences detected in other wild carnivores, comparing 294 nucleotides of the VP1 gene. The FIV nucleotide sequence detected in the free-ranging puma, based on comparison of 444 nucleotides of the pol gene, grouped with other lentiviruses described in pumas, and had 82.4% identity with a free-ranging puma from Yellowstone Park and 79.5% with a captive puma from Brazil. Our data document the circulation of FHV-1, CPPV-1, and FIV in neotropical felids in Brazil.

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Bottlenose dolphin communities from the southern Brazilian coast: do they exchange genes or are they just neighbours?

Marine and Freshwater Research ◽

10.1071/mf14007 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 66 (12) ◽

pp. 1201 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Ana Paula Borges Costa ◽

Pedro Fruet ◽

Fábio Gonçalves Daura-Jorge ◽

Paulo César Simões-Lopes ◽

Paulo Henrique Ott ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Structure ◽

Bottlenose Dolphin ◽

Gene Diversity ◽

Mitochondrial Gene ◽

Distinct Group ◽

Unknown Origin ◽

Brazilian Coast ◽

Tissue Samples ◽

Scale Population ◽

Free Ranging

The genetic structure of bottlenose dolphin communities found along the southern Brazilian coast is reported in this study. Genetic structure analysis using biopsy samples from free ranging dolphins and tissue samples from stranded dolphins revealed a fine-scale population structure among three distinct groups. The first genetically distinct group was composed of resident dolphins of Laguna with a high degree of site fidelity. The second group was composed of one photo-identified dolphin, previously recognised by its interaction with fishermen, and dolphins that stranded near the mouth of Tramandaí Lagoon. Moderate nuclear and low mitochondrial gene diversity was found in dolphins of those coastal communities, whereas most of the dolphins stranded along the coast showed markedly higher levels of gene diversity at both markers. These stranded dolphins of unknown origin formed the third distinct group, which may be part of a larger offshore community. These results demonstrate the presence of at least three bottlenose dolphin clusters along this portion of the Brazilian coast, with the coastal specimens appearing to be only neighbours of a larger offshore community that eventually strands along the coast, highlighting the importance of the establishment of management and conservation measures for the species at a local scale.

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Contención química de un puma (puma concolor) mediante ketamina-medetomidina, revertida con atipamezol, en Tamaulipas, México

ACTA ZOOLÓGICA MEXICANA (N S ) ◽

10.21829/azm.2007.233603 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 23 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Emilio Rendon Franco ◽

Arturo Caso ◽

Dulce Maria Brousset Hernández-Jáuregui

Keyword(s):

Puma Concolor ◽

Excessive Salivation ◽

Chemical Restraint ◽

Free Ranging

Chemical restraint of a free-ranging male cougar (Puma concolor) was carried out with Ketamine (90 mg) and Medetomidine (1.2 mg) by an airgun. During the chemical restraint, was necessary to apply additional 75 mg of ketamine. The procedure was reverted with atipamezol. During chemical restraint the animal had excessive salivation and vomit.

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Instantaneous energetics of puma kills reveal advantage of felid sneak attacks

Science ◽

10.1126/science.1254885 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 346 (6205) ◽

pp. 81-85 ◽

Cited By ~ 104

Author(s):

Terrie M. Williams ◽

Lisa Wolfe ◽

Tracy Davis ◽

Traci Kendall ◽

Beau Richter ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Prey Size ◽

Puma Concolor ◽

Low Cost ◽

Radio Tracking ◽

Energetic Costs ◽

Powerful Approach ◽

Overall Dynamic Body Acceleration ◽

And Behavior ◽

Free Ranging ◽

Species Movement

Pumas (Puma concolor) live in diverse, often rugged, complex habitats. The energy they expend for hunting must account for this complexity but is difficult to measure for this and other large, cryptic carnivores. We developed and deployed a physiological SMART (species movement, acceleration, and radio tracking) collar that used accelerometry to continuously monitor energetics, movements, and behavior of free-ranging pumas. This felid species displayed marked individuality in predatory activities, ranging from low-cost sit-and-wait behaviors to constant movements with energetic costs averaging 2.3 times those predicted for running mammals. Pumas reduce these costs by remaining cryptic and precisely matching maximum pouncing force (overall dynamic body acceleration = 5.3 to 16.1g) to prey size. Such instantaneous energetics help to explain why most felids stalk and pounce, and their analysis represents a powerful approach for accurately forecasting resource demands required for survival by large, mobile predators.

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