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.

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

The animal in the photograph above is the very rarely seen western hognosed skunk (Conepatus mesoleucus). Note the long front claws and the bare nose pad. These skunks previously ranged from Nicaragua to Colorado. In the 20's and 30's specimens were collected in Colorado and Oklahoma (according to Dragoo and Honeycutt). Now they are only found in the U.S. in southern Arizona and New Mexico. This one was photographed with one of our generously donated replacement cameras on Animas Creek.

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