The cougar is one of the most beautiful, enigmatic, and majestic animals in the Americas. Eliciting reverence for its grace and independent nature, it also triggers fear when it comes into contact with people, pets, and livestock or competes for hunters’ game. Mystery, myth, and misunderstanding surround this remarkable creature. The cougar’s range once extended from northern Canada to the tip of South America, and from the Pacific to the Atlantic, making it the most widespread animal in the western hemisphere. But overhunting and loss of habitat vastly reduced cougar numbers by the early twentieth century across much of its historical range, and today the cougar faces numerous threats as burgeoning human development encroaches on its remaining habitat. When Maurice Hornocker began the first long-term study of cougars in the Idaho wilderness in 1964, little was known about this large cat. Its secretive nature and rarity in the landscape made it difficult to study. But his groundbreaking research yielded major insights and was the prelude to further research on this controversial species. The capstone to Hornocker’s long career studying big cats, Cougar is a powerful and practical resource for scientists, conservationists, and anyone with an interest in large carnivores. He and conservationist Sharon Negri bring together the diverse perspectives of twenty-two distinguished scientists to provide the fullest account of the cougar’s ecology, behavior, and genetics, its role as a top predator, and its conservation needs. This compilation of recent findings, stunning photographs, and firsthand accounts of field research unravels the mysteries of this magnificent animal and emphasizes its importance in healthy ecosystem processes and in our lives.

"Examines the effect of wolf restoration on cougar population in Yellowstone National Park. No other study has addressed theoretical and practical aspects of competition between large carnivores. A thorough examination of cougar ecology, how they interact and [are] influenced by wolves, how this knowledge informs management and conservation"--Provided by publisher.

Eight cougars were radio-collared and monitored during 1985 - 1987. Home range size, determined by minimum convex polygons, averaged 153.1 km2 for females, 543.5 km2 for males. Core home range size, determined by harmonic mean analysis, averaged 21.7 km2 for females, 17.9 km2 for males. Home ranges of males and females overlapped, but core areas never overlapped, regardless of sex. Two juvenile females and one juvenile male displaced over 60 km. Cougars utilized habitats in a preferential manner, avoiding clearcuts and preferring mature forest stands. Cougars did not appear to select for riparian areas, although continuous monitoring periods revealed that cougars traveled extensively along riparian areas and topographic features. Cougars did not avoid active timber harvest sites, but rather were closer to them than random locations scattered throughout their home ranges. Cougars did not avoid paved, arterial, feeder, or spur roads but rather were closer to them than random locations. Cougars did not avoid campsites, but did appear to avoid permanent residences. However, movement patterns of cougars also suggested that they did not avoid roads, campsites, or permanent residences. These results were contrary to the only other published study addressing the impacts of huniail disturbances on cougar habitat use. It is hypothesized that difference in vegetative cover between the two studies (the other study was in an area of sparse understory vegetation) is the primary reason for the differing results. Perhaps the most important impact of humans on cougars in this study was heightened mortality (legal and illegal harvest, road kills) resulting from increased human access to cougar habitat.

Wildlife-Habitat Relationships goes beyond introductory wildlife biology texts to provide wildlife professionals and students with an understanding of the importance of habitat relationships in studying and managing wildlife. The book offers a unique synthesis and critical evaluation of data, methods, and studies, along with specific guidance on how to conduct rigorous studies. Now in its third edition, Wildlife-Habitat Relationships combines basic field zoology and natural history, evolutionary biology, ecological theory, and quantitative tools in explaining ecological processes and their influence on wildlife and habitats. Also included is a glossary of terms that every wildlife professional should know.

The Pacific Northwest is a global ecological "hotspot" because of its relatively healthy native ecosystems, a high degree of biodiversity, and the number and scope of restoration initiatives that have been undertaken there. Restoring the Pacific Northwest gathers and presents the best examples of state-of-the-art restoration techniques and projects. It is an encyclopedic overview that will be an invaluable reference not just for restorationists and students working in the Pacific Northwest, but for practitioners across North America and around the world.