COS 49-1 - Using camera traps to understand impacts of human disturbance on cougar (Puma concolor) feeding duration

Tuesday, August 8, 2023

8:00 AM – 8:15 AM PDT

Location: B112

Presenting Author(s)

TT

Tam Ta

School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, United States

Coauthor(s)

LS

Lauren Satterfield

School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, United States
CC

Calum Cunningham

School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, United States
TG

Taylor Ganz

School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, United States
BK

Brian Kertson

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, United States
TN

Thomas Newsome

School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, United States
BW

Becca Windell

Home Range Wildlife Research, United States
LP

Laura R. Prugh

University of Washington, United States
AW

Aaron Wirsing

School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, United States
LP

Lisanne Petracca

School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, United States

Abstract: Large predators are particularly sensitive to human disturbance due to their slower life histories, large home ranges, and persecution by humans. Previous research shows that top predators have the ability to alter trophic relationships from their positions at the top of food webs. Therefore, anthropogenic-mediated behavioral changes in large predators could exert indirect and direct impacts on the entire ecological community. In Washington, cougars (Puma concolor) inhabit landscapes with increasing human disturbance, making this state an ideal place in which to explore how anthropogenic activity shapes their behavior. In this study, we examined cougar feeding behaviors in response to road, trail, and building density. We used camera traps deployed at fifty-five cougar kill sites to detect carcass visitation, and GPS collars on cougars to assess the total time spent at a carcass. A hurdle model was used to predict the probability of observing a cougar on a camera trap in relation to road, trail, and building density. Cougars were found to spend significantly less time feeding in areas of higher road density (p < 0.001) and building density (p < 0.001). This indicates that human infrastructure (proxied by road density) and human presence (proxied by building density) reduce cougar feeding opportunities. Our study shows that as the human footprint continues to expand into cougar habitats, cougars may experience further disruptions to feeding dynamics. Understanding the behavioral response of large predators to disturbance is critical in the management of intact ecosystems and in mitigating human-wildlife conflict.