Puma concolor in the UK by J A J Richardson

A few notes on Puma / Cougar / Mountain Lions ... 

Photo : Glatzer 2006

FIRST SIGHTING : 

One late evening three friends and myself were travelling back from Tilton on the Hill towards Oadby, in Leicestershire. Upon approaching a main road junction we spotted a very large animal in a field beside the lane. As the car stopped in a gateway, I was able to shine a torch directly onto the fawn/grey coat of the creature revealing its outline - which crouched down lower and remained completely motionless.

After instructing the Driver to quickly drive the car round the corner to the next open gateway, we watched in amazement as the Cougar jumped up and bounded off into the darkness of the field. 

Having since owned a 46kg Bullmastiff , I would estimate this Mountain Lion, holding similar proportions, although being longer, taller and more agile, must have weighed in the region of 60kg.

In the weeks following I was able to track the prints of a Puma  from Houghton on the Hill to Bushby during the day time with a friend. The tell-tale sign of which is an absence of any claw marks in its prints. Generally double in size of the average Alsatian (partly tracked alongside), overall rounder with an even impression and much deeper (heavier) indent. The territorial and characteristic 'scratching-post' of a Mountain Lion were also visible on an old Hawthorn tree just off ******* Lane for some time after.

All evidence suggesting that these “Big Cats”, of which there were several in the region, were using the disused train track running from Scraptoft towards Tilton on the Hill and beyond as cover, and as a corridor along which to travel and hunt.

We all know what was spotted ... that evening...  before the days of mobile phones that take photos. 

BACKGROUND NOTES : 

This time of year February is perfect for spotting Puma / Cougar / Mountain Lion sleeping or resting in trees. These Big Cats are predominantly crepuscular (active at dusk and dawn) or nocturnal in nature. Puma/Cougar/Mountain Lion may spend upto 18-20 hours per day sleeping or resting.

The territorial Nature of Big Cats is such that a dominant Male may aim to dominate a wide area; sometimes over-lapping the breeding/hunting areas of several Females. Subordinate Males always satelite away from their Mothers to prevent incestuous inbreeding and/or are pushed away from prime hunting locations by dominant Males. It is not uncommon for younger offspring to inhabit less favourable hunting areas including suburban areas - as is the behavior of several Big Cats in their native habitats. 

Phenotypical variation between the distinction of Puma, Cougar, Mountain Lion is directly related to habitat and the availability of prey items, the size of prey item and therefore the potential size of the Cat - in relation to its original gene pool.

As an ambush predator deer, rabbits, and squirrel may make up the percentage of diet (as is the case within their native ranges in the Americas). The constantly  increasing population density of previously introduced Muntjac Deer in the UK should not be overlooked as a frequent weekly or monthly food source. 

Muntjac Deer by J A J Richardson

Another insignificant source of food are the estimated 40 million Pheasant released every year in the UK. The majority of "kills" (domestic and wild) are often mistakenly attributed to predation by Fox, Kite and Buzzard (especially in the case of Pheasant).

The above questions our perception of the existence and the real feasibility of Puma / Cougar / Mountain Lion within the local landscape. 

 TYPES of Puma concolor : 

Phenotypical variation within the Genus species 'Puma concolor' is based on geographical habitat and prey.

Puma type - Common to Jungle habitats of Central America. A smaller and darker variation. Spends its time in the trees. Rarely seen in the shadows. Hunts a variety of primates, mammals, lizards and smaller quarry. 

Cougar type - Common to savannah and dessert environments of South Central USA, Lower Mountain Ranges, Mexico and upper Andes regions. A medium size and redder variation. Spends its time on the ground camouflaged against the stone and dust of its surroundings. Hunts a variation of Rabbit, Turkey, Racoon, Fish, Aligator and Small Deer species.

Mountain Lion type - Common of the Upper Rocky Mountains , Westen North USA and Canada (and lower South America). A larger size with a grey colouration. Hunts on larger prey including White Tail Deer and Ełk calf, Guanaco and Llama.  

Habitat and the availability of prey items, the size of prey item is directly correlated to its habitas, colouration, size, weight and ultimately description and common name. Colouration may vary from Chocolate Brown to Yellow, Sandstone, Red, Orange, Fawn, Grey, with leucistic Cream (not Black) also recorded. 

The gene pool / origin of Puma concolor in the UK will directly relate to the above. Puma will be darker and smaller than a lighter colour and larger Mountain Lion within the same nexus within the UK ; based on ancestral origin at point of release and it's subsequent habitat, climatic zone, feeding and hunting practises. 

Puma concolor, Doncaster c1980

How many generations before a Puma type grows into a Cougar type or a Mountain Lion type turns into a Cougar type requires much further investigation with regards to phenotypical variation / changes within the same Genus species ... over time. 

MORTALITY : 

The lifespan of Puma concolor is approximately 10-15 years in the wild (slightly longer in captivity). This would indicate that any sightings after 2007 are those of recent releases or that of the offspring of a breeding population of Puma concolor. 

Unnatural deaths could be attributed to Road Traffic Accidents and Shooting/Hunting (including Poaching and Coursing which would go un-reported). Natural Adult death could include Starvation, Diseases or Injury. Natural juvenile/kitten death could be attributed to Foxes, Kites, Buzzard and Eagles. (and that of other 'Big Cats'). Evidence of any deceased Puma concolor would be present in the form of skeletal remains... especially Skulls in deposition. 

Many Cats hide away when they reach their end of life period. Old outbuildings, caves, dense thickets and undergound tunnels would be the most obvious places to find deseased skeletal assemblages. 

The frequency of Puma concolor sightings c2000 across various locations in the UK would suggest that Skull remains of Puma concolor are out there ... somewhere. 

GENETIC INHERITANCE  : 

Most Big Cats in captivity originally decend from different genepools / geographical locations within the same Genus species. Released / Feral Cats in the UK are therefore less likely to be inbred or inbreed with close relatives as a result. For example, Puma concolor released in Rutland (multiple times by different owners) and Puma concolor released in Devon will not always be from the same gene-pool. Unless sourced from the same Breeders during the early 1970s. 

Genetic variation between Puma type and Courgar type and Mountain Lion type shall exist in any feral populations. Outbreeding (rather than inbreeding) will offer Puma concolor an advantage (rather than disadvantage) with regards to potential offspring. 

Unlike within their Natural environments in the Americas, where local gene-pools are geographically situated, the UK will display a now feral mix of genetics (similar to an open zoo). Natural Selection would determine the survival rate of kittens (rather than breeders) - with those most adapted to the UK Climate, Fauna and Landscape being the overall winners in the Game of Life.   

ESCAPE OR RELEASE  ? 

It is often assumed that any feral population(s) of Big Cats in the UK were the result of escape from captivity or purposeful release. 

The Dangerous Wildlife Act of 1976 made it illegal to keep certain species of Big Cat in the UK without a specific Keepers License and adequate fencing and facilities. The number of Big Cats still in Private Collections (legal and illegal) in the UK is often unknown. In contrast the number of Big Cats kept in Zoo Collections which are publicly known and well documented. 

Since Antiquity, Big Cats have been kept by various people in the UK. This includes the exhibitions of Roman rare breed collectors, travelling circuses, and static displays throughout the Medieval period, and beyond. This includes the famous Royal Zoo at the Tower of London; where it is documented that several Panthera type species escaped captivity into the wild.  Later during the Colonial Period many Big Cats where bought to the UK as a result of imperialism and globalisation. 

Non-Native Animals from Africa, Asia and the Americas were shipped into wealthy private collections. Several of these animals escaped due to inadequate housing and/or fencing. During WW1 and WW2 many keepers of large animals including Mastiff Dogs and Big Cats could no longer afford to keep their "guardians" - which requires a surplus of fresh raw meat. As a result many Breeders stopped breeding and/or culled their animals. Others in the case of Big Cats perhaps engineered their release. 

This was the case in 1976, whereby those without License or adequate facilities released Big Cats into the wild - assuming that local fauna would provide them with an adequate volume of natural food. Due to the "illegality" of keeping and subsequently releasing Big Cats into the wild, it is difficult to guesstimate how many Big Cats have been released or may have escaped from illegal captivity. 

In the case of Puma concolor (from the Americas) we know that they have only been with us in the UK for the past 300 years. In the case of Panthera type cats we know this to be at least 800 years, if not longer. 

It is then quite possible that recent escapees and purposeful releases, may have bred with an existing population of Big Cats across various Genus species.

MISTAKEN IDENTITY  (?)

Mistaken / suspected Puma concolor sightings in the UK could be attributed to several other species of fauna. These may include : 

Domestic Dog

Fox

Muntjac

Chinese Water Deer

Roe Deer

Fallow Deer

Red Deer

Wallabies 

Wild Boar

Various Escapee Domestic / Farm Animals

Muntjac Deer by J A J Richardson 

In the case of Domesticated / Farm Animals the majority are reported missing and/or soon return to their keepers. 

The frequency of Puma concolor sightings by various members of the same local community, within the same geographical nexus, at the same time, would however indicate an overall presence... and therefore more positive identification. 

ITEMS OF PREY ! 

As opportunistic ambush predators, POTENTIAL food items for Puma concolor in the UK may include any of the following species:

Mice / Vole

Brown Rat

Stoat

Rabbit

Hare

Domestic Cats

Wild Cats

Stray Dogs

Squirrel

Badgers

Foxes

Pheasant 

Partridge

Chickens

Ducks

Geese

Wildfowl

Waterfowl

Muntjac

Roe Deer

Chinese Water Deer

Sika Deer

Fallow Deer 

Red Deer

Wallabies 

Wild Boar

Sheep 

Goats

Alpaca

Otter

Mink

Grass Snakes

Adder

Eel

Carp

Bream

Pike

Chub

Brown Trout 

Rainbow Trout

Salmon

The potential list of prey items above reflects a diversity in the geographical areas and local habitats that Puma concolor may frequent when feeding. Variation within the availablity of potential foodstuffs may therefore suggest a mixed diet. 

SCAVENGING :

Scavenging is a natural behaviour of Puma concolor under periods of ecological / environmental pressure. Whenever fresh items of prey are thin on the ground, individuals will seek alternative sources of food.

As ambush predators, Puma concolor often take prey that is larger than a single meal. In this case they will attempt to hide their kill from other apex predators (including Bears, Wolves and Eagles in their Native ranges). In turn, hungry Puma may raid the food caches of other predators, including those of Humans.

Roadkill is unfortunately habitual in the UK - which offers easy pickings to any Predator or Carrion Eater. Likewise retreating flood-water often leaves stranded Fish species upon which Puma concolor will happily feast when hungry. 

Sightings of Pumas around slaughter houses and abbitors are well documented throughout their Native ranges of North, Central, South Americas, and within the UK itself. Likewise the allure of fenced Livestock often attracts juvenile Puma concolor towards a concentration of available food - especially when pushed away from prime hunting areas by dominant Adults. Such areas may include dead animals and/or nearby dead pits. 

It has been suggested that juvenile Puma concolor may be attracted towards suburban areas via the scent of meat (for example that recent McDonald's Drive-Thru on the ring road)?  Although speculative that Pumas enjoy cheeseburgers, such areas do however attract Brown Rats in significant numbers - which is a freely available food source for several indigenous predators. 

There have also been sightings of Big Cats (in my personal experience Lynx) frequenting Household Rufuse Tips, which is another major focal point of Brown Rat activity. Such behavior would automatically draw Puma concolor into direct competition with Urban Foxes and Domestic Cats - which are both on a Puma's dietary list of potential prey.

Increasing levels of Urban waste within the Countryside , including half-eaten KFC Buckets thrown from car windows , no doubt hold their own seduction in sense of smell and calourific content - which in the case of a Puma concolor would include the disregarded bones themself.

As Oppertunistic Predators with a penance for travelling vast distances to find non-related mates and suitable hunting zones, and in the case of Females kitten rearing habitat - the potential of Puma concolor scavenging items of human waste is relatively high.

All said we are still a long way off from "Please do NOT feed the Puma !" signs dotted about our local Countryside,  Service Stations and Country Parks. 

DIASPORA :

The Diaspora of Puma concolor in the UK will be limited by several factors including suitable habitat, the availablity of prey items, and the overall landscape. Natural features within the landscape limiting the dispersal of juveniles may include Rivers, Lochs,  Llyns, Resevoirs and Lakes. Although it should be noted that adult Puma concolor are most confident swimmers in deep water.

Territorial ranges may be constrained by several manmade features in the landscape. Physical boundaries may include Motorways - which are a limiting factor of dispersal and territory within their Native Americas - since Puma concolor avoid crossing busy highways wherever possible.

Active Trainlines may also draw the caution of Big Cats. Trains however operate to a scheduled timetable (when running on time) and the risk calculation of injury or confrontation when crossing is vastly reduced in comparison to a busy and unpredictable Motorway system.

Conversely, several early industrial features within the landscape, such as disused Trainlines and Canal networks provide "safe corridors" along which Puma concolor may safely travel and hunt. Abandoned Quarries, Mines and WW2 Airfields also provide "empty spaces" which Puma concolor may frequent during their dispersal.

Overall Diaspora and therefore population density via competition for resources between dominant and subordinate juveniles and adults will be influenced by the activity of humans. This may also include seasonal Farming and Forestry activities, Shooting Parties, Fox Hunting, Public Events, and increasing levels of suburban and rural expansion in the form of Industrial Estates and Housing Developments.  

SIGNS OF LIFE : 

From a tracking or observational perspective there are several "signs" that Puma concolor may leave behind, other than their characteristically large foot prints and scat.  

All Cats discard keratinous claw sheath every few months as their claws grow - which helps to maintain the sharpness of the claws themself. These translucent sheath are most often found beside scratching-posts and areas of feeding, and are occasionally recorded by Big Cat Enthusiasts. 

Claw Sheath Domestic Cat by J Richardson

Scratching-Posts are often recorded on telegraph poles and trees. Although other mammals including several species of Deer use scratching posts to remove velvet or mark territory, Puma concolor also frequent scratching-posts to sharpen their claws and mark out their territorial zones. Evenly spaced horizontal lines (above head height) are therefore highly suspicious,  and may indicate sign of Big Cat activity.

Another obvious sign of activity would include residual hairs. Hairs are often deposited on barbwire fences and thorns : (an extremely common phenomenon with Foxes). Other features that trap the hairs of mammals include wooden gates, styles and fences. Geological features in the landscape such as various rock formations also trap the hairs of mammals when passing. 

Fox Hair on Barbed Wire by J A J Richardson 

Points of access are often stained with oils from the coats of mammals when frequently passing a position (again most common with Foxes crawling under gates). Over time these natural  oils begin to preserve the timber itself ; often leaving a darker area of wood that is smooth, oily or scented to the touch. Tall entrance points would therefore be an obvious  observation point in the case of Big Cats. 

Rubbing-Posts and Natural Markers will also be frequented by Puma concolor as they mark out their territory in the landscape in order to deter competition or attract mates. The scent of which travels further than the capabilities of the human nose. Ultimately these scent deposits carry pheromones which may deter or attract members of their own Genus species and possibly that of competing feral species of cat. 

In combination the above allows scope for DNA analysis to be conducted in future across the "physical sign" / evidence of Puma concolor inhabiting the landscape. 

SCAT :  

Scat, Poo, Manure, whatever we call it, mammals make lots of ***t ! 

The scat of Puma concolor are slightly pointed at one end and slightly flatter on the other. Latrines are the main areas that mammals frequent, including Puma concolor, when depositing scat. Many species of Cat (in contrast to Dog) are often "shy" when depositing scat and will often choose a hidden or remote location as a regular latrine. Often a dry / sandy area (litter trays) are favoured , which allows plenty of additional scratching , whilst keeping the paws and claws clean.

This territorial behaviour may attract or deter competition or allies. It also creates a definitive space between places of eating and those of waste disposal; thus keeping feeding areas free from potentially harmful bacteria and pathogens (intestinal worms for example) associated with scat overall. 

All scat contains the digested or undigested remains of the host - and is an excellent source of information in relation to diet (and therefore dietry requirement). Characteristically, the scat of Puma concolor in the UK may include fur, feathers and the teeth of the prey they have digested. Likewise the chitin of Beetle remains in scat appears across many Mammals and Birds of Prey in the UK. The scat of Fox and Badger being the most likely case of mistaken Puma concolor scat during identification. 

The long list of potential prey items (see above) within scat deposits could be as varied to include smaller mammals, birds, and perhaps several insects (as reported) depending on the overall climate and the time of year. Fresh scat is highly scented, soft and oily to the look and touch. Older scat may appear lifeless (even fossilised), dry or decomposed depending on the age of the scat. The age of the scat is therefore directly related to regularity and frequency of deposit.

The spraying of urine to attract mates or deter competition is it's own subject. 

HUMAN PERSPECTIVE :

Humans are the most destructive force of Nature on the planet. Humans restrict populations of Puma concolor wherever the two coexist. Human perspectives in the UK vary dramatically between orthodox Big Cat Believers and often extremist Non-Believers ; with the majority sat somewhere on the fences between mythology, fantasy and reality. 

Certain groups of Humans wish to eradicate Big Cats completely in the UK, whilst other groups of Humans wish to preserve / conserve Big Cats indefinitely. Big Cat Enthusiasts follow the subject passionately and share information and photographs online via various social media platforms.

The Mainstream Media prefers to ridicule "Big Cat Sightings" with any credibility being deemed as just another branch of cryptozoology.  Sensational and totally inaccurate headlines of "Black Panthers" are common place.  Humans that report or voice any Big Cat Sightings in the UK are often considered to be delusional or completely mistaken in observation. 

Humans are Apex Predators and are naturally geared towards recognising, and remaining alert of, competing Predators within their shared environment. This may account for the hundreds of suspected Big Cat sightings reported each year in the UK (?) 

Humans spend hundreds of hours and thousands of pounds researching Big Cat Sightings in the UK – often following up hot-spots with investigations of footprints, kill-sites and scat. Big Cat Enthusiasts (and Hunters) set up night-vision motion-sensor trail-cameras and more recently employ remote controlled drones to seek evidence of Puma concolor activity in the countryside.

Humans ultimately draw Puma concolor towards their suburban environments via the lure of road-kill, the scent of spent chicken bones and the UKs obsession in keeping domesticated pets.

Humans will continue to encounter Puma concolor in the UK,  so long as the population of such mammals exist. This could be by recent release or an established breeding population. Only time will tell ...

RANDOM NOTES OF INTEREST : 

7 Subspecies of Puma concolor are recognised: Puma concolor anthonyi, Puma concolor cabrerae, Puma concolor concolor, Puma concolor costaricensis, Puma concolor couguar and Puma concolor puma.

Each of the above may vary dramatically in colouration (see above) and size. Adult male Puma concolor can weigh anywhere between 40 -100kg . Adult female Puma concolor weigh less anywhere between 30 - 60kg. 

Juvenile Puma concolor retain their spots for several months which grow out into dark patches. Juveniles disperse / satellite away from their mother at 18months of age ; typically in Spring or Autumn.

Adult Puma concolor can jump (from standing) over 3meters in height directly into a tree / canopy. Hedges and Fences at 2m in height are easily jumped over.

Puma concolor often leave claw marks in paw prints (as documented in the Americas) when traversing, when on uneven ground and when in sand/silt soil locations.

To be continued ... 

JR [04.2023]