Panthera presents Olympic Cougar Project: genetics, connectivity and coexistence work

Port Angeles — Representatives from Panthera, a global wild-cat conservation organization, presented an overview of the Olympic Cougar Project to the Port Angeles City Council on Sept. 2, describing scientific findings and local coexistence efforts. Panthera staff said genetic analysis of mountain lions west of Interstate 5 shows reduced genetic diversity and signs of inbreeding in some individuals on the Olympic Peninsula, prompting a long-term focus on habitat connectivity and population health. The group detailed tracking and modeling work that showed individual cougars repeatedly attempting to cross major highways and the collaborative conceptual work to study crossings along the I-5 corridor. Panthera described operational work in the region: population and abundance estimates, camera- and genetic-based monitoring, prey-species analysis and targeted field trials to reduce backyard and livestock conflict. Staff said they are testing three fence designs in volunteer properties to see which designs reduce cougar depredations on livestock. They are also partnering with the National Park Service on pre- and post-recreation monitoring where visitor use is increasing, notably along the Elwha and Hurricane Ridge areas. Panthera staff discussed a recent Hurricane Ridge incident involving a collared adult male cougar. The group said necropsy findings indicated the animal was underweight, had tapeworms and swollen lymph nodes, and showed other signs of poor health. Panthera said those findings suggest the animal was in poor condition when it attacked a child at Hurricane Ridge; the organization and the National Park Service removed the animal after the incident. Panthera staff emphasized that such incidents are rare and provided guidance for trail users: be loud, make eye contact and move assertively away from an animal rather than retreat quietly. Councilmembers asked whether the council could take local steps to reduce conflict, such as restricting food sources for urban wildlife and supporting state-level policies that reduce lethal removals. Panthera suggested supporting local education campaigns, funding for fencing and livestock-protection incentives and coordination with state wildlife agencies on nonlethal coexistence strategies. Panthera said it would continue local outreach and work with tribal partners, the National Park Service and state agencies; the group introduced Vanessa Castle as the locally based Panthera staff contact working on tribal engagement and community outreach.