The Cougar Conundrum

"Pumas are a felid species whose range connects the American continent. From Canada to Argentina, managers share similar challenges protecting this resilient cat and finding a path toward coexistence."--Sandra Ortiz, veterinarian, and vice president, Latin America, Wild Felid Association "This thought-provoking book reflects Elbroch's relentless pursuit to challenge state wildlife agencies to promote a new standard of inclusivity in wildlife decision making and manage cougars on peer-reviewed science."--Jim Williams, author of Path of the Puma and Regional Supervisor for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks "A concise account illustrating issues surrounding wildlife conservation efforts in the United States while providing an informative natural history of the mountain lion."-- "Library Journal" "Elbroch takes readers on a tour of cougar biology and ecology, emphasizing how important the big cats are to the ecosystem...Policymakers, conservationists, and hunters alike will find this a useful, if sometimes controversial, handbook." -- "Kirkus Reviews" "The mountain lion deserves more champions like Mark Elbroch. In The Cougar Conundrum, the biologist Elbroch debunks the pernicious myths fueling the persecution of North America's iconic big cat. But the optimist Elbroch offers a more compelling vision of coexistence with one of nature's most wondrous creations."--Will Stolzenburg, author of Heart of a Lion "The Cougar Conundrum is a deep dive into the most widely distributed and successful large carnivore in the western hemisphere. This book will help you consider the place of big predators and people on the planet and how to create a new era of reasonable coexistence, including restoration of cougars into a substantial fraction of their former range."--Paul Beier, Regents' Professor of Conservation Biology, Northern Arizona University

Mark Elbroch is an internationally recognised expert on carnivores and mountain lions. He is Director and Lead Scientist for Pantheras Puma Program. He has contributed to puma research and conservation in Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, California, Mexico, and Chile, and has worked as a wildlife consultant across North America, specializing in field inventories, the identification of wildlife corridors, and supporting capture efforts of diverse species. He is a regular contributor to National Geographics CatWatch Blog and has authored and co-authored ten books on natural history. He is a 2011 Switzer Fellow.