18/04/2023
The MD of Bighorn is supporting the Exposed Wildlife Conservancy (https://www.exposedwildlifeconservancy.org/) Cougar Coexistence Project. Below is some information about this project along with a link to a survey they’d like residents to fill out. Please pass this along to your contacts and anyone else you think might be interested.
The information is also on the MD website here: https://www.mdbighorn.ca/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=813
The Exposed Wildlife Conservancy looks to provide ethical and science-based solutions to solve the most pressing wildlife management challenges facing us today. By focusing on specific issues surrounding apex predators and developing effective, realistic, and ethical solutions, we are able to promote updates to Canada's current wildlife management practices to better reflect modern-day perspectives on wildlife.
As humans continue to increasingly share space with cougars, whether through living or recreating in their habitats, chances of interacting with cougars are also increasing. Currently, Alberta mitigates the chance of cougar interactions through hunting. We propose that there are other effective solutions to managing cougars to prevent or minimize the probability of cougar-human conflicts from happening in the first place.
Research has shown that cougars, more so than any other apex predators in Canada, can successfully coexist with humans. A cougar's adaptability to human activity comes with many challenges, especially when it comes to safely coexisting with them. Our Cougar Coexistence Project looks to address these challenges and educate both communities living with cougars and those recreating in cougar territories with the information, strategies, and support they need to minimize interactions and conflicts with cougars from occurring. The goal is to dispel myths, increase tolerance for cougars, and provide methods to reduce conflicts. This project entails setting up trail cameras, conducting public outreach, and installing informational signage in communities, trails, and the backcountry.
Exposed Wildlife Conservancy is grateful to have the support of the MD of Bighorn and looks forward to launching the Cougar Coexistence Project in your community. To conduct this project to the best of our ability, we are asking residents of the MD of Bighorn to complete a short online survey regarding their experiences with cougars. This survey will provide us with meaningful, relevant, and valuable information about coexisting with wildlife and help us develop appropriate wildlife management solutions that fit your unique community needs.
If you have any comments or questions regarding the Cougar Coexistence Project, please get in touch with the Exposed team directly at [email protected].
Survey Link: http://bit.ly/3UrfZIs
Thank you for your interest in contributing to Exposed Wildlife Conservancy's (EWC) Cougar Coexistence Project! Please take a moment to fill out this survey and share with us your experiences regarding cougars. The form will take approximately 30 minutes to complete. Your input through this survey i...