Mountain Lions Along the Urban Edge

Mountain lions are the largest ranging terrestrial mammal in the western hemisphere, and commonly associated with pristine landscapes lacking human disturbance — but this is not always the case. Though rarely seen, these charismatic mammals posses the ability to persist within urbanized landscapes. Join us to discover the North Bay’s apex predator and the many behavioral modifications necessary to survive amongst humans. Jake Harvey – graduate student at University of Nebraska, Benson Lab, and wildlife biologist with True Wild and the Institute for Wildlife Studies – will take us on a deep dive into his graduate work involving analyzing mountain lion diet, habitat use, and energetics in California’s San Francisco North Bay, including SSU’s Fairfield Osborn Preserve, noting ecological changes as human disturbance increases. See what landscape features mountain lions prefer and avoid while feeding on their preferred prey, black-tailed deer, and learn more about how you can be a part of the research — and the solution.