Estimating accurate predation rates and determining prey selection for wolves and cougars is critical to understanding the role both top predators play in ungulate population dynamics. Here we report initial information from potential predation sites. We refer to these as “prey acquisition” and “non-acquisition” sites to distinguish sites in which prey remains were identified from those where no remains were located. We make this distinction from the more common use of “kill” and “non-kill” sites because there is generally little evidence remaining at these sites to allow us to determine if a wolf or cougar was responsible for killing the prey item in question, or whether the item was acquired through scavenging after death caused by 1) another predator species, or 2) some other non-predation related event (i.e., starvation, disease, road kill). Sometimes there was enough evidence to make these distinctions, but many times there was not. Therefore, we advise readers to interpret information presented regarding prey acquisition rates, and the sites where prey were acquired within this context.
Field work for the project was completed in 2017 and preliminary data analyses were completed in 2019. Information, data, and results presented on this website are preliminary and subject to change. Results will not be considered final until the the peer review publication process is complete. Publications detailing final results can be found on the Reports & Publications page.
Last updated September, 2019