As there are hopes that someday cougars could again roam the eastern U. S. the results of this study will be anxiously awaited. Such data will be critical in justifying protection of cougars and educating the public about this elusive magnificent animal.

Bedford, Virginia

As always, the key is education. I live in the Bay Area near Santa Cruz and I have yet to see one of these magnificent animals. That tells me how secretive they are. The media has often unwittingly created a climate of fear for the puma, and the resultant public hysteria concerns me. We have seen what the film JAWS did for the great white shark. I believe that individuals have been remiss to house and pen their animals properly. They should be cited for the infraction, not rewarded with a depredation permit to kill cats.

Does anyone knowledgeable read these comments?

My daughter lives at the end of the road on top of a small hill in Ben Lomond. They keep a small flock of chickens for eggs and fun for her son. A couple of weeks ago a bobcat (her husband saw it disappear over the chickens' fence, so yes.) got a couple of their hens.
Early this week, the remains (one leg and the head) of said bobcat (or perhaps its relative) was left on their lawn.
What kills bobcats? Mountain lions? Seems not to tasty a dinner for a mountain lion when there are deer all over the place all the time.
Comments?
K. King