Cougar Population Characteristics in Southeastern British Columbia

We studied a cougar (Puma concolor) population from May 1985 to November 1987 on a 540-km2study area in southeastern British Columbia (BC) to collect detailed ecological data to assist in refining regional species management. We used capture-recapture and radiotelemetry techniques, observed 34 different cougars, and estimated winter population densities of 3.5 cougars/100 km2(1985-86) and 3.7 cougars/100 km2(1986-87). Sex ratios of 20 kittens and 12 adults did not differ significantly from equality (P > 0.05). Kittens made up 55-58% of the population each winter. Mean litter size was 3.1 ± 1.2 [SD] kittens/litter (n = 7). Birth intervals were 15-23 months. Eight juveniles dispersed 12-163 km from the study area. Mortality was 5.3% of the population the first winter, and 15% the second winter. Four of 7 mortalities were human-related (vehicular) despite the area being closed to hunting. Home range sizes of 4 resident females were 31 ± 10 km2[SD] in winter, 35 km2± 14 in summer, and 55 km2± 25 yearly with low or no home range overlap. Two resident males yearly home range averaged 151 km2. No male home range overlap was documented.