GPS Tracking Reveals Puma Mountain Lion Too Close for Comfort
19 Jun 2014A puma mountain lion being tracked with a GPS tracking device shows that he is on the move and getting a little too close.
The puma mountain lion’s name for now is forty-six M (46M). He is a young puma that is currently being tracked by scientists at UC Santa Cruz as part of the Santa Cruz Puma Project. There is a GPS tracking collar around his neck that lets researchers know exactly where he is at all times, where he is headed, and every time he stops or is on the move.
Global positioning systems (GPS) let scientists get this updated information in real-time. It uses radio and satellite signals to determine the puma’s location on a map by using points. Associate professor at UCSC, Chris Wilmers, has been keeping an eye on him and watching as he makes his way to the downtown area of Mountain View.
Several weeks ago, the puma left his mom’s territory in the Santa Cruz mountains, in what is known as dispersal. Within the garage of an apartment building in Mountain View, Wilmers takes a look at the downloaded data from the GPS tracker.
Source: http://santacruzpumas.org/
They originally got the collar around his neck by tracking him and tranquilizing him with a dart. After placing the collar on his neck, they released him near his home and have been monitoring his activity since. The GPS tracking collar was originally developed by the scientists at UCSC. It is part of a project with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to study mountain lions in this area and find out about human intrusion and their natural habitat. 46M is among 16 puma mountain lions currently being tracked.
So far, the mountain lion has stated in the Mountain View area, remaining hidden until he finally left his safe spot and ended up in brush next to a local apartment building. From the data received, it looked like motorists and pedestrians nearby had no idea he was there. Wilmers reported that the cat has been wandering the residential area for three days and two nights, but nobody has spotted him yet.
However, as soon as he crossed a busy street, people did spot him and immediately called the police. There were text alerts sent out and rifles were pointed at the cat who was now hiding under a vehicle. Wilmer’s team was called who again tranquilized him and brought him back to the Santa Cruz Mountains. They will now keep an eye on the 110-pound and hope he remains in his own territory, though the GPS tracking device is allowing them to track his every move.
Source: http://santacruzpumas.org/
The research team will continue watching his behavior and movements, since the 13-month-old puma mountain lion is still a risk for leaving the mountains and again entering the residential neighborhood.
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