SDGF&P 2006 COUGAR MORTALITY SUMMARY DATA RELEASED
Cougar Network News, 1/30/07

South Dakota has a cougar population currently estimated a 200 individuals.

During 2006, 56 cougar carcasses were recovered in the state (see below). 

 

Causes:
 
SD GFP Removals-16
Hunter Harvest-16
Vehicle collisions-9
Incidental Snaring-7
Unknown cause of death-4
Accidental deaths-2
Electrocution-1
Justified shooting-1
 
Sex of lions:
 
Males-28
Females-26
Unknowns-2
 
Over the past 36 months, 121 cougar carcasses have been recovered in the state.  27 cougars have died as a result of vehicle strikes alone.
 
2006 Mortalities    56
2005 Mortalities    40
2004 Mortalities    25