Habitat selection of a re-colonized cougar population in response to seasonal fluctuations of human activity

Abstract

Cougar (Puma concolor) sightings have increased markedly throughout much of Midwestern North America and breeding populations have re-established in areas where there has not been a viable population of cougars for much of the past century. Using satellite telemetry data, we estimated resource selection functions (RSF) to examine shifts in seasonal habitat selection of a recently re-established population of cougars relative to human activity in Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park (CHIP) in southwest Saskatchewan and southeast Alberta, Canada. We modeled human activity predictors, used in cougar RSFs, from data collected at a network of motion-triggered trail cameras on the road and trail system within CHIP. Using the same network of remote cameras, we quantified cougar use of trails to examine the potential for human–cougar encounters. Cougar habitat selection models that included human activity outperformed models including only environmental variables. Cougars avoided areas near roads and trails during seasonal peaks in human activity but selected those areas during seasons of low human activity. Within each season, we found cougars avoided areas of increased motorized and non-motorized human activity, particularly in spring (motorized and non-motorized) and summer (non-motorized). Although resource selection models did not include covariates for prey, selection results were consistent with the expected distribution of prey on the landscape. Cougar use of trails was prevalent throughout CHIP and use was concentrated during dusk and nighttime periods. Thus, the potential for human–cougar interactions are present throughout the year, although they are likely highest during periods of low human-use and in the evenings. Further, individual variation in habitat selection among cougars makes human–cougar interactions difficult to predict. Our results highlight the adaptable nature of cougars to varying levels of human disturbance, which will facilitate their continued eastward range expansion. © 2014 The Wildlife Society.