Cougars In the West
The abundance of deer is at least partially responsible for the arrival of cougars in many large Western cities. At least 100 sightings of cougars—also called pumas or mountain lions—occur every year in the Denver metropolitan area, according to Todd Malmsbury of the Colorado Division of Wildlife. Residents of other Colorado cities, including Boulder, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, and Pueblo, also report seeing cougars. The cities lie along the eastern edge of a string of peaks known as the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains.
Development around all the cities has pushed deeper into the foothills of the Front Range. The big cats rarely attack people, but they often kill pet dogs and cats for food. Even dogs as large and strong as Doberman pinschers and German shepherds are easy prey for cougars.
In the 1940's and 1950's, both cougars and deer were uncommon in the foothills of the Rockies. But since then, Colorado's wildlife management practices have protected the land and animals, turning the area into prime mule deer habitat. And Malmsbury credits the booming deer population for attracting the lions.
Some scientists have additional explanations. For example, wildlife biologist Allen E. Anderson, now retired from Colorado's Division of Wildlife, thinks the cougars around Colorado cities are mostly young animals seeking their own space. During 14 years of research, Anderson found that the cats are extremely territorial, defending home ranges that for males can extend for a radius of more than 160 kilometers (100 miles), slightly less for females. His studies showed that after being weaned and driven off by their mothers, young cats may travel up to 325 kilometers (200 miles) before finding a place to settle where they will not be killed as "trespassers" by resident cougars. Anderson also found that the ideal habitat for cougars has forests, canyons, and gullies—features common to Colorado's Front Range.
