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.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Later in the morning on November 10th, after spending most of the night processing and collaring the female lion group, we were surprised to find the above female lion in Matthew McCollister's snare line. This female's age was estimated at 3-4 years, she weighed 90 lbs., and was pregnant at the time of capture. In the photo below you can see her distended stomach, probably indicating that she is going to have her litter in the next month. Her nipples were also enlarged and looked as if she has given birth to at least one litter before this one. We were not able to put a collar on this new female, LF6, but we did eartag her and will hopefully start to see photos of her, and maybe her new kittens, showing up in the camera grid.


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