We are conducting surveys, monitoring, and research on cougars (puma, mountain lion) on the Ladder Ranch in south-central New Mexico. Here, cougars are of particular interest given their effects on state-endangered desert bighorn sheep and other valuable big game. These projects are also resources for training and education, most notably through the Cougar Field Workshop.

Sunday, June 17, 2007


Here we have an excellent photo of a class 4 ram. These are the old men of the mountain, representing the oldest age class of males in the population. We usually only see one or two of these fellows every year. The horns have curled a full 180 degrees and beyond and the horn tips are beginning to flare out to the side. Desert bighorns often rub these horn tips against rocks and cliffs, wearing them to a blunt end.

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