SLIDESHOW AND LECTURE BY SCOTT KOLLER

Article by Kate Marianchild

If you were a mountain lion you'd be like the rest of us – you would love living in Mendocino County! Our county is home to lots of Black-tailed Deer (your favorite food) and you'd enjoy the variety in your diet provided by raccoons, opossums, ducks, beavers, and porcupines. During the day, when you weren't hunting, it would be easy to tuck yourself away and hide because so much of Mendocino County is wild and uninhabited.

"You'd also find it pretty easy to get in trouble in Mendocino County, especially if you were a young male mountain lion," explains Scott Koller, Associate Wildlife Biologist and Wildlife Resource Manager for the Department of Fish and Game's Mendocino Unit. "First-year mountain lions who aren't yet fully capable as hunters are more likely to go after easy prey such as sheep, dogs, cats, and goats. In fact," Koller says, "in Mendocino County more depredation permits have been issued in the last five years than in any other county in California." A depredation permit allows the shooting of a "nuisance" mountain lion.

Koller, who finds mountain lions fascinating, will give an illustrated lecture on the habits of these reclusive top predators on Thursday, January 17 at 7 p.m. at Ukiah Civic Center. The lecture will contain surprises for many people. Do you know what kind of relationship mountain lions have with water? Have you ever wondered what animal is the primary predator of mountain lion kittens? Do you know how long kittens stay with their mother?

Koller will also discuss Department of Fish and Game policy regarding the issuance of depredation permits and will explain how experts tell the difference between mountain lion attacks, coyote attacks, and bear attacks. "There will be some pretty graphic pictures of livestock kills," warns Koller, "so consider whether you want to bring children." Koller will bring mountain lion skulls to demonstrate the razor-like teeth they have in the back of the mouth. He might also bring a bear skull.

The Ukiah Civic Center is at 300 Seminary Avenue. From 101 take Perkins west to State Street (3rd light). Go left on State Street and turn right on Seminary Ave. Take Seminary to the end. To join Peregrine Audubon Society and receive a newsletter with regular announcements about programs and field trips, please send $15 to PAS, P.O. Box 311, Ukiah, CA 95482.
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