A cougar strolling through the San Gabriel Mountains. Photo: Johanna Turner, Cougar Magic.
The Cougar Conservancy, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit, is helping to fill a gap in conservation research: It helps humans coexist with cougars. Using science-based management and innovative community outreach programs, the Cougar Conservancy builds awareness, understanding, appreciation, and tolerance of cougars. A recent Animal Welfare Grant from Pasadena Community Foundation (PCF) will help the organization introduce its expertise into the San Gabriel Valley for the first time.
Increase Wildlife Sightings Lead to a Call for Proactive Community Engagement
As development increasingly encroaches on natural areas, and wildfires and drought bring animals into urban areas, the chances of wildlife conflict expands significantly. As Pasadena Now reported on June 4, Sierra Madre residents have recently experienced a dramatic uptick in mountain lion and bear sightings, prompting local officials to call for development of “a regional approach to human-wildlife encounters in Sierra Madre and nearby areas” . . . and for “enhanced staffing of human-wildlife conflict specialists, ensuring timely responses to animal sightings and ensuring continued proactive engagement with communities to educate and increase awareness about the dangers of local wildlife encounters.”
By helping create “territories of [social] tolerance,” the Cougar Conservancy is well positioned to be a partner in a more holistic approach to human-wildlife encounters. Not only does the organization address human-pet interactions with cougars but also safe ways to protect pets and livestock, reduce wildlife attractants in neighborhoods, and educate residents about the detrimental use of anticoagulant rodenticides, among many other topics.
The Cougar Conservancy’s Founder and Director, Korinna Domingo, makes an important caveat about what appears to be an increase in mountain lion sightings, however. “This is largely attributed to security cameras and remote camera systems becoming more affordable and accessible to the general public. Additionally, residents can now share these indirect sightings rapidly on social media, and it isn’t uncommon for news outlets to pick up stories of what are otherwise not-out-of-the-ordinary sightings.”
Co-Created Communities Make an Impact
The PCF grant will allow the Cougar Conservancy to host “community listening sessions,” presentations, and other educational opportunities for the residents and recreationists of Pasadena, Altadena, and Sierra Madre. Domingo stresses that the organization prioritizes community-focused coalitions that include indigenous partners from Fernandeño Tataviam, Yoeme, Chumash, and Gabrielino/ Tongva communities; state and federal agencies; non-governmental organizations; and city government.
Through these “co-created communities,” the Cougar Conservancy can learn from local stakeholders about what is important to them and where they need resources and assistance. “Our approach is careful and always conducted in a culturally sensitive way,” Domingo notes. “We want to hear from anyone impacted by wildlife for whatever reason and to establish new relationships.”
