For Immediate Release Mark Dowling
Cougar Network Co-Founder
mdowling@easterncougarnet.org
(203) 270-8075
Concord, MA – April 15, 2005 – Dr. Clay Nielsen, Wildlife Ecologist at the Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory at Southern Illinois University Carbondale ( www.siu.edu/~wildlife ) and Director of Scientific Research for the Cougar Network (www.cougarnet.org), has received initial funding to begin creating a model of potential cougar habitat in Midwestern North America. This project will represent the first large-scale habitat modeling effort for cougars in the Midwest, a region wherein the Cougar Network has documented more than two-dozen cougar confirmations during the past two years. The habitat model will identify landscape factors affecting cougar h abitat potential in the Midwest, and serve as a useful planning tool for wildlife conservation agencies and non-government organizations. Dr. Nielsen is currently seeking additional funding for this multi-year project from a variety of sources.
According to Cougar Network Co-Founder Mark Dowling, “we believe that this project is timely and badly needed. Given the increasing frequency of confirmed cougars in the Midwest, we are thrilled that Dr. Nielsen will be able to undertake this project now.”
The Cougar Network is a nonprofit research organization dedicated to studying cougar-habitat relationships and the role of cougars in ecosystems. Although it conducts work throughout the entire range of the cougar, the Network is especially interested in the phenomenon of expanding cougar populations into their former habitat.
The Network has been conducting comprehensive research on cougar distribution in North America for three years. During this time, it has documented dozens of cases of confirmed cougar presence far to the east of the species' recognized range. Detailed analysis and documentation for all of these incidents can be obtained from its Web site ( www.cougarnet.org ).
In addition to its Web site, the Network educates the public via its tri-annual newsletter “Wild Cat News.” The newsletter features in-depth articles about North America's wild cat species, including cougars, jaguars, lynx, bobcats and ocelots.