Mission Statement and Objectives

The Cougar Network is a nonprofit research organization dedicated to studying cougar-habitat relationships and the role of cougars in ecosystems. Although we conduct work throughout the entire range of the cougar, we are especially interested in the phenomenon of expanding cougar populations into their former habitats.

Our mission is being implemented according to the following objectives:

• Conducting active research on cougars.
• Maintaining a reliable repository of information regarding cougar distribution and potential range expansion.
• Promoting working relationships with universities, conservation agencies, independent researchers, and the general public regarding cougar issues.

Board of Directors

Dr. Clay Nielsen, Director of Scientific Research

Dr. Clay Nielsen received his Ph.D. in Zoology at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC). A Certified Wildlife Biologist by The Wildlife Society, Dr. Nielsen is a Wildlife Ecologist at the Cooperative Wildlife Research Lab (CWRL) at SIUC, where he and his graduate students conduct research on several mammal species. His principal research interests are wildlife-habitat relationships and estimating vital demographic parameters of wildlife populations.

Dr. Nielsen joined The Cougar Network as Director of Scientific Research in 2003, where he is continuing cat research and is active in other aspects of the organization. He lives in Carbondale, Illinois, with his wife, Dr. Charlotte Roy Nielsen. She is a post-doctoral fellow with the CWRL and teaches courses in the Zoology department at SIUC.

Harley Shaw, Director

Harley Shaw grew up in Arizona and started working for the Arizona Game and Fish Department in 1955. He has been involved in wildlife management for 48 years, of which 27 years were as a research biologist studying the mule deer, wild turkey, bighorn, and cougar. One of the early pioneers of scientific research on cougars, he organized and hosted the Third Mountain Lion Workshop in Prescott, Arizona. He retired from the Arizona Game and Fish Department in 1990 but continued to write, consult, and work with cititzen groups in wildlife monitoring. Since 2001, he has served with 12 other prominent scientists as a member of the Cougar Management Guidelines Working Group. The group's efforts culminated in July 2005, with the publication of the first edition of Cougar Management Guidelines (Opal Creek Press, Salem, Oregon).

Mr. Shaw has published two books: Soul Among Lions and Stalking the Big Bird, both through the University of Arizona Press. He also published the Mountain Lion Field Guide, which has undergone multiple printings. He now resides in Hillsboro, New Mexico.

Ken Miller, Co-founder and Director
kmiller@cougarnet.org

Ken Miller is a semi-retired high-tech entrepreneur, having founded or co-founded three high-tech companies in the computer, data networking and software fields. The most well-known company he co-founded was Concord Communications, a public company where he served as President and CEO from 1981 to 1986. Trained as an electrical engineer, Mr. Miller received his BEE degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and his MSEE degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He is also the author of a technical networking book, Multicast Networking and Applications, which was published in 1998 by Addison-Wesley.

Mr. Miller has had a life-long interest in wildlife and apex predators, and his semi-retirement in 2000 provided the time to pursue this interest. He was an original co-founder of The Cougar Network in 2002. He serves as the organization’s Webmaster, President, and Treasurer.

Mark Dowling, Co-founder and Director
mdowling@cougarnet.org

Mark Dowling is a commercial lending professional with almost 20 years of experience. He is currently employed by GE Capital as a Vice President, Account Manager, in its Commercial Financial Services unit. He received his MBA from the University of New Haven and his BA in Economics from Saint John Fisher College. He has had a life-long interest in North American wildlife, and carnivore ecology in particular.

Mr. Dowling was one of the original co-founders of The Cougar Network in 2002. He has been very active in establishing working relationships with federal, state, and provincial wildlife agencies throughout North America, as well as numerous private sector wildlife biologists. He lives in Newtown, Connecticut, with his wife, Susan, and their three children (Caitlin, Mark & Sarah).

Bob Wilson, Co-founder and Director
bwilson@cougarnet.org

Bob Wilson received his B.A. (Ed) from NWOSU (Oklahoma) in 1971. After graduation, he joined the military and spent three years in the Army. Following his military commitment, he taught Biology I and II in northwest Kansas for two years before meeting and marrying his wife, Marlene. They have two children (Melissa and Scott) and two cats. Moving from northwest to southwest Kansas, Bob received his M.S. from Ft. Hays State University in 1983. He has taught high school- and college-level classes in Biology and Human Anatomy & Physiology for 30 years.

Mr. Wilson is one of the original co-founders of The Cougar Network. He has traveled extensively in the western portion of Kansas setting up camera traps in hopes of capturing a cougar on film. In this endeavor, he has developed a good working relationship with the KDWP and praises its scientific approach to wildlife management. His hobbies include fishing, bow hunting, and the study of evolution.

Key Contributors

Daniel J. Cox, Wildlife Photographer

Daniel J. Cox is a internationally-renowned wildlife photographer whose work has appeared on numerous magazine covers, including National Geographic. The Cougar Network is privileged to feature the stunning wildlife photography of Mr. Cox on this Web site. One of today's greatest nature photographers, Mr. Cox's work exquisitely captures the beauty and majesty of his subjects. To see more of his spectacular images, visit www.naturalexposures.com.

Scott Wilson, Publications Editor and Creative Coordinator

Scott Wilson joined The Cougar Network in 2005 as the editor of Wild Cat News. In addition to his work on publications for The Cougar Network, he is responsible for the flash content and design of this Web site. Mr. Wilson received his B.S. in Journalism and his B.A. in English from the University of Kansas. His journalism and marketing work spans several different industries, including technology, business, healthcare, and science. Mr. Wilson lives in Seattle, Washington.