The Cougar Network (www.cougarnet.org) Board of Directors:

Dr. Clay Nielsen, Director of Scientific Research

Harley Shaw, Director

Dr. Chuck Anderson, Director

Ken Miller, Co-founder and Director

Mark Dowling, Co-founder and Director

Bob Wilson, Co-founder and Director

Adrian P. Wydeven

Mammalian Ecologist/ Conservation Biologist

875 South 4th Ave.

Bureau of Endangered Resources

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Park Falls, WI 54552

July 22, 2010

RE: Request for review of apparent cougar depredation incidents in Wisconsin

Dear Mr. Wydeven:

In response to the request by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) for the Cougar Network (CN) to provide a review of apparent cougar depredation incidents, we solicited opinions from 6 cougar depredation/predation experts from the Western US and Canada representing various professional wildlife affiliations. We contacted individuals known to have extensive experience investigating cougar predation and/or depredation incidents and with diverse backgrounds including federal and state carnivore damage specialists, state carnivore biologists, and cougar researchers, and forwarded them the materials and questions provided with your request. Four of the six individuals contacted responded and their reviews are attached to this document. A summary of their responses by incident are paraphrased below:

Roloff Cow Incident: None of the reviewers had a clear idea of what caused the heifer injuries, but all commented that the information presented was not consistent with cougar depredation based on injury location and propensity of cougars to subdue large prey (e.g., cattle, elk, moose) with a bite to the throat (see attached photos submitted by Ron Thompson). Speculated causes of the heifer injuries ranged from being caught in a stationary object, domestic dog attack, or potential shotgun blast. The track photo presented was confirmed as a canid track by all the reviewers responding. The only supporting evidence of cougar predation is the eyewitness account by a turkey hunter, but as pointed out by Ron Thompson, the description does not match cougar attack behavior documented for large-sized prey. In verifying cougar occurrences outside their known range, CN has found reported cougar sightings to be extremely unreliable.

Jones Sheep Incident: Three of the four reviewers addressed this incident directly and the other reviewer commented on the den site photo. One reviewer commented he could not provide confirmation based on the evidence presented, and two others suggested the incident was not likely cougar related due to attack location (spine versus the throat/neck), lack of evisceration of the abdominal cavity, and lack of caching behavior, which are all diagnostic of cougar attack or feeding behavior. All 4 reviewers pointed out that cougars do not excavate den sites and they exhibit only minor bed site disturbance, use them only for a short period of time when kittens are very young, and if this were a cougar den, cougar sign or young kittens should have been evident; three of the four reviewers commented that this was likely a canid den site (e.g., coyote, fox). One reviewer proposed the sheep attack was more likely due to canid rather than cougar predation.

Horse Incidents: Two reviewers addressed the horse incidents collectively and the other two addressed them individually. Collective evaluations dismissed cougar predation for all three incidents (please refer to Kyle Knopff’s review who has extensive cougar-horse predation experience) and all the reviewers suspected at least two of the three incidents were related to horses running into fence posts, wire, or other stationary objects, possibly prompted by canid attack in the Jones horse incident 6/15/10. Inconsistencies presented relative to cougar attack behavior include injury location (throat bites are diagnostic for cougar horse attacks) for two of the three horse incidents, canine punctures to the leg (diagnostic for canid attacks), and extent and pattern of alleged claw marks and lack of canine punctures elsewhere. Cougars grasp their prey and subdue them with crushing bite to the throat, neck, or base of the skull; larger prey are typically subdued with a suffocation bite to the throat and smaller prey (e.g., deer or smaller) are typically subdued with a bite disarticulating the cervical vertebrae or crushing the base of the skull and less frequently with a suffocation bite. Two reviewers noted that injury location for the Miller horse was consistent cougar attach behavior, but one commented that injury extent was excessive for a cougar attack while the other reviewer suggested cougar predation is plausible but could not be confirmed based on the evidence presented; one reviewer noted that comments in the depredation report suggested cougar predation for this incident was predetermined before evaluating the evidence. One reviewer (Ron Thompson) pointed out that cougar attacks of large domestic prey (horses) are extremely rare when smaller, natural prey are regionally abundant.

General Comments:

Dan Thompson commented that based on the amount of alleged cougar depredation activity on the Jones property, definitive cougar sign (e.g., tracks, scat) should be present assuming a cougar or cougars are involved.

Ron Thompson suggested using a good track reference for future investigations and provided a reference that is attached.

Ron also pointed out that cougar kills typically exhibit drag marks from the carcass being moved after the kill, evisceration of the stomach contents away from the carcass, clipped hair near feeding entrances, and caching behavior. These activities are diagnostic in cougar predation/depredation events and would be useful to consider in future investigations. Please refer to “The Puma Field Guide” and “Puma ID Guide” available on our website for examples (http://www.cougarnet.org/idguide.html).

CN Conclusions: Based on the evidence presented and the expert review comments, it appears none of the incidents can conclusively be confirmed as cougar depredation. Incidents on the Jones property appear canid related and the other incidents could be related to various causes and thus could reasonably be classified as inconclusive. It is our opinion that cougar depredation can be ruled out in all cases except for a slight possibility in the Miller horse incident, but even in this case it appears unlikely. It is worth mentioning that our conclusions and those of the reviewers are based on the photographic evidence and written reports provided and should be considered acknowledging that we provide our opinions without first-hand site investigations. The investigation materials provided were well prepared, but do not contain the evidence we consider consistent with cougar depredation incidents.

Recommendations:

Please refer to Ron Thompson’s advice in his attached review, which will be helpful in future investigations. In addition, we recommend that personnel receive training in cougar depredation/predation behavior to assist in evaluation of future incidents.

We appreciate the opportunity to assist WDNR in this evaluation and hope you find the information provided helpful. Please contact us if you have any questions or if we can be of assistance in the future.

Good luck with future cougar management efforts.

Sincerely,

Chuck Anderson

Chuck Anderson, Ph.D.

Director, The Cougar Network

(970) 255-6189

Chuck.Anderson@state.co.us

Expert review from Jack Alexander, Animal Damage Specialist, South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks (Jack.Alexander@state.sd.us)

Experience: I have work for the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks for the past twenty years as an animal damage specialist. I have been addressing lion depredation and public safety concerns for the game fish and parks for the last ten years.

Track Photo - Appears to me as a canine track. The heel pad doesn't reach far enough toward the toes and can also see toe nails.

Heifer Photo - This doesn't resemble any kind of lion trauma I have seen. I don't see any bite marks around the back of the ears or along the jaw where normal lion trauma occurs. It looks like it might have had its head stuck under or in something. The way the hair around the shoulders has been worn, it looks like it was struggling with its head down.

Den Photo - I have never seen a cat excavate earth to have cubs. I have worked with coyotes and fox and see this type of activity.

Horse Photos - I have looked at quite a few horses like this, and spending some time around the pasture or places they are kept a person can find the cause of these from a T-post or machinery of some type. I can say that none of the horse pictures look to be anything from a lion attack.

Expert review from Kyle Knopf, Cougar Researcher, Golder Associates, Alberta, Canada (Knopff, Kyle [Kyle_Knopff@golder.com])

Experience: I have spent the last 5 years working closely with cougars in Alberta and Saskatchewan, have captured more than 70 animals with the help of hounds, monitored many of these animals closely over a period of years, and have personally visited several hundred cougar predation sites and a number of den sites.

First, I think it important to mention that it is impossible to make any judgment with certainty based on the few photos and brief descriptions that are available.  I would feel much more comfortable if I had been able to visit the sites myself.  That said, I provide my opinions below.

Sheep Injuries: It is not possible to determine whether the sheep might have been killed by a cougar or some other predator.  In the absence of tracks or other sign, I would suggest it may never be possible to know for certain.

Horse Injuries: The wounds on the horses appear to be more consistent with barbed wire injuries I have previously seen and are much less like a cougar attack.  However, the reports indicate that wire was not present in some cases.  This is surprising to me, and in that case I cannot explain the damage.  With the amount of damage to the horses, the cougar would have had to make a prolonged attack and not be immediately thrown from the horses. If this was the case, it is surprising that no deep canine wounds were found on the horses’ necks, but rather only superficial wounds. The horses that I have personally located that were killed by cougars (>15) were killed in a manner similar to the way cougars kill elk or moose, with a holding bite on the throat.  Superficial damage from claws was not extensive and barely visible.  Subcutaneous hemorrhaging, however, was extensive near canine punctures and claw wounds.

Cougars do not typically attack an animal’s legs, therefore I was surprised to see mention of a canine puncture in one of the horses’ legs.

Heifer Injuries: I would have said that the apparent depredation on the heifer was certainly not a cougar, except that a hunter apparently observed the attack.  The damage to the animals face is so extensive that the cougar should have easily killed it by simply switching grip.  It would have taken a long time for a cougar to crush and chew through the front portion of the heifer’s face, so it is very surprising that switching to a throat bite was not possible. However, if the hunter is certain he saw the cougar attacking the heifer, then it would seem my impression based on the photos is incorrect.

Den Site Photos: It is difficult to say from photos alone, but the apparent den complex does not look like anything I have seen used by cougars before.  Moreover, cougars tend to not keep kittens at a specific location after the kittens are large enough to travel (at least in Alberta).  Therefore, if a juvenile cougar was observed near the den, it should have been quite small and spotted.

I hope you find this helpful while conducting your review.  Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you require any additional information.

Expert review from Dan Thompson, Large Carnivore Biologist, Wyoming Game and Fish Department (Daniel Thompson [Daniel.Thompson@wgf.state.wy.us])

Experience: Active in documenting and determining validity and confirmation of cougar predation/depredation/conflict incidents primarily in South Dakota and Wyoming since 2003. Assistance with state trapper/houndsmen intensively from 2003-2007 in documentation of cougar conflicts and subsequent removal of problem animals. Conflict documentation ranging from human safety issues to livestock/pet depredation incidents.

In order to maintain objectivity, pictures were reviewed prior to reading reports. If these recurring incidents were caused by a cougar, there would most likely be definitive evidence of the offending animal in the area. Comments are based only on information provided, and without personal on-site investigation, suggestions are based on previous experience and the pictures/text provided.

Roloff Cow Incident 5/15/2010

· Track Picture: The pointed toes and claw mark (on left track covered by front foot track) are indicative of canid tracks.

· Heifer Injuries: Personally I’ve never seen any damage incident on livestock resembling the heifer calf pictures. Due to the lack of trauma to the neck region or any other trauma indicative of a prey attempt by a cougar, this does not appear to have been caused by a cougar. As to what caused this is up to debate. Initial thoughts were of dogs (perhaps several) due to the nature of the wound and ripping of flesh. However, based on the break of mandibular bones and it could have been caused by a type of shotgun blast (buckshot) as well. (There appears to be a clean circular hole in the tongue that could have been caused by a large pellet). Because the trauma is not associated with typical cougar killing behavior, I feel this was not caused by a cougar.

Sheep Attack Pictures (Jones)

· The trauma on the sheep appear indicative of canine punctures, lack of scale precludes further comments.

· Based on the report, the trauma associated to the spine but not at the base of the neck suggests this was not a cougar depredation (6/29/2010).

· Den Site: Relative to the “den”, if this was an active female cougar den there would be multiple kitten and adult tracks as well as hair and evidence of activity. Denning behavior of cougars is much different than canids and most dens are temporary, with only long term use occurring for the first few weeks post parturition. Solitary cougars do not excavate dens but rather will have bed sites before moving on to another area.

Jones Horse Incident 6/14/2010

· The trauma to the horse’s neck appears to be caused by a foreign object such as a steel fence post, or another stationary object with enough rigidity but cutting power to excise the wound in the manner pictured. I would expect “cleaner” canine punctures if a cougar were attempting a suffocation type predation rather than a typical vertebral disarticulation predation at the base of the skull.

Miller Horse 6/22/2010

· Main comment is related to the report which states that “Consultation with western WS staff indicate typical attack location and method of a cat that is learning how to succeed.” This gives the indication that the cause of the incident is predetermined. The location of the trauma would be indicative of a suffocation type of predation attempt, but most of the comments are related to “claw marks”, whereas cougars generally kill their prey with bites to the vertebral column or suffocation, not based on the use of claw tears.

Jones Horse Incident 6/25/2010

· Wounds do not appear to be caused by a cougar. Central focus of tear on left side of horse’s neck widening in berth suggest a laceration by a stationary object. The report suggested the animal was agitated into fencing but as to what caused the agitation I cannot comment. With this high level of complaints on the Jones’ farm, it appears there would be definitive cougar sign (tracks, hair, picture evidence) if in fact a cougar was causing all of these incidents.

Expert review from Ron Thompson, Big Game Tag Fund Manager and Large Carnivore Biologist, Arizona Game and Fish Department (rothompson@azgfd.gov)

Experience: Years spent dealing with cougars, and geographic area of experience: 35 years in Arizona, New Mexico and Mexico.

For each depredation case I would appreciate it if you could answer the following questions:

1. Based on the description and any photos (if available) given of the sign and wounds on or around the injured or killed animals, are these consistent with a depredation by a cougar?  Why or why not?

Jones Sheep – Non-conclusive, carcass fed on but not eviscerated or cached so probably not a lion

Jones Horse – Non-conclusive, “Canine puncture on its front left leg” indicates it was probably not a lion. The claw “swipes” from the measurements appear to be large wounds and not claw marks “wound area is approximately 9 inches by 10 inches”.

Roloff Cow – Eye witness to this stated “He (a turkey hunter) investigated and reportedly observed a cougar on top of the head of the injured heifer, holding its head to the ground.” However, the nose wound on the calf is canid-like and not from a lion. The following pictures (elk and deer decoy attacks) depict how a lion typically grips and kills large prey. They do not instinctively bite the nose or flank, like a dog, wolf or coyote. Did the hunter have a dog that may have attacked the calf while on the property?

Miller Horse – The attack description in the report “This location and the corresponding wounds to the underside of the upper neck are consistent with a mountain lion attack on a large prey species.” is contrary to the statement at the end of the report “Consultation with western WS staff indicate typical attack location and method of a cat that is learning how to succeed.” The attack location is exactly the location of that which would be used by a mountain lion not an uncontrolled attack by an inexperienced lion. However, risky attacks on large novel prey are rare when surrounded by an entire deer population of Wisconsin.

2. Is there another predator or other cause of death that seems more likely to have killed or injured this animal?

Jones Sheep – canid

Jones Horse - dog

Roloff Cow - dog

Miller Horse – could have been a lion

3. If descriptions in the depredation report or photographs are inadequate for confirming the cause of death, what additional information, photographs, or other material would you need to confirm the actual cause of death?

Jones Sheep

Jones Horse

Roloff Cow

Miller Horse

The three lobed print of a lion is the most indicative if the carcass is not cached. A more confusing multi-variant measurement process is attached (deAngelo et al. 2010).

4. Are the management actions followed by the WDNR appropriate for the injury and death of these animals?  What additional or different approaches would you recommend?

Jones Sheep

Jones Horse

Roloff Cow

Miller Horse

Good initial reports were taken and the investigators did a good job with documentation. But as in any crime scene the success of an investigation is commensurate with experience and knowledge of the investigator and evidence quality. Proximity of one attack to another seemed to be relied upon as supporting evidence, yet the initial cause of attack was not verified.

Since identification beyond a reasonable doubt of the offending animal was not obtained the results should just state the obvious – non-conclusive. For all attacks a trained strike hound that is broke off all other game would let the investigators know immediately if lions are the cause of an attack.

After examining each individual case, please provide a summary of any events that were likely cougar, overall management, and recommendations on additional policies and training the WDNR and USDA-WS need to better deal with these events.

I would suggest WI take a close look at their statutes and decide what property rights laws are going to be implemented by landowners in these cases. These cases are going to increase not decrease. Arizona has put the onus of reaction on the livestock owner, with the investigation after action on the state. Pets are treated as a human interaction. All lions killed for depredation must be left in the field or tagged as a sport kill. Arizona does not pay for depredation losses to wildlife.

Additional comments:

Lions kill multiple pets but may not feed at all on a carcass. If they do feed they will act like a lion, that is, drag the carcass, eviscerate it after clipping hair and attempt to cache it with debris.