South Dakota 2006 cougar mortality summary data released

Cougar Network News, 1/30/07

South Dakota has a cougar population currently estimated a 200 individuals.

During 2006, 56 cougar carcasses were recovered in the state (see below).

Causes:

SD GFP Removals-16
Hunter Harvest-16
Vehicle collisions-9
Incidental Snaring-7
Unknown cause of death-4
Accidental deaths-2
Electrocution-1
Justified shooting-1

Sex of lions:

Males-28
Females-26
Unknowns-2

Over the past 36 months, 121 cougar carcasses have been recovered in the state. 27 cougars have died as a result of vehicle strikes alone.

2006 Mortalities 56
2005 Mortalities 40
2004 Mortalities 25

http://www.cougarnet.org/SDmortalities.htm