Cougars have emerged as the leading cause of deaths
among endangered mountain caribou in the Idaho Selkirk Mountains,
reports the Spokane, Wash., Spokesman-Review. Ravaged by clearcuts
and roads in their prime habitat, the caribou were listed as an
endangered species in the late 1980s. At the end of the decade, 60
caribou were captured in British Columbia and released in the
Selkirks. Now, some 47-49 animals survive, says Wayne Wakkinen,
Idaho Fish and Game Department researcher. At least eight of the
animals died of natural causes, such as broken bones and injuries
from falls, he said, and three caribou were shot. “The bad news is
that 13 caribou deaths were from predation, with a majority of
those by cougars,” Wakkinen said. “I think there’s enough habitat
left in the Selkirks for caribou to expand. But for now, cougars
are having a major impact.”
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Cougars and caribou.
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