Cougar

Puma concolor

General Status Rank: 
Undetermined
ELCODE: 
AMAJH01020
Common Name: 
Cougar
Scientific Name: 
Puma concolor
Synonyms: 
Felis concolor
Mountain Lion, Puma
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Taxonomy
Group: 
Mammal (Terrestrial Mammal)
Kingdom: 
Animalia
Phylum: 
Chordata
Class: 
Mammalia
Order: 
Carnivora
Family: 
Felidae
References: 
B001
General Biology

Female Age at Maturity

As early as 20 months (B113), generally at 2.5 years (B112).
References: 
B112
B113

Longevity

Up to 18 years in captivity.
References: 
B001

Economic/Human Considerations

Large carnivore (kills large game animals, rarely attacks humans).
References: 
B001
Habitat
Generally mountainous terrain, but also in wooded valleys and dense coniferous forests.
References: 
B001
H116
Distribution

Ecozones

Taiga Plains, Taiga Shield, Boreal Cordillera, Boreal Plains
References: 
R109

Distribution

3% (R109), probably more than that (H116).
Score: 
F = 2
References: 
R109

Number of Occurrences

Verifiable observations of cougar in NWT (A124, R152); including the Dehcho (H164_05), South Slave, North Slave (H219), and Sahtu regions (H221; Blackwater River and near Police Island Mack River H224); sighting km 211 on the Liard highway (61.34378;-121.94549) on 28/07/2008 (H223).
References: 
H164_05
A124
R152
H221
H223

Area of Occupancy

Increasing distribution in NWT (H116).
Score: 
-
References: 
H116
H164_05
H219
H221
Population

Population Size

<100
Score: 
B = 5
References: 
H116

Density

From 0.049 to 0.003 lions per sq km.
Trends

Trends

Likely increasing (H116). Verifiable observations of cougar in the Dehcho (H164_05), South Slave, North Slave (H219), and Sahtu regions (H221).
References: 
H116
H164_05
H219
H221
Threats

Threats

Potential for over-hunting, human disturbance.
Score: 
C = M
References: 
B113
H116

Intrinsic Vulnerability

Forestry
Score: 
-
References: 
B113
H116
General Status Rank
Rank: 
Undetermined
Status Rank Description: 
Expansion into NWT.
S Rank: 
SU
Decision Process Description: 
Reviewed in 2004 - no change in status. Reviewed in 2010, no change. Reviewed in 2015, no change. Reviewed in 2020, no change.
Last Updated: 
February 15, 2024

References

Age Of Maturity

  • Chapman JA and Feldhamer GA (editors) (1982) Wild Mammals of North America: Biology, Management, Economics. The Johns Hopkins University Press RWED Library Call #QL715.W5 - B112 Return
  • Novak M et al.(editors) (1987) Wild Furbearer Management and Conservation in North America. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources RWED Library Call #SK355.W5 - B113 Return

Area of Occupancy

  • Mammals Committee: Ron Graf, Ray Case, Robert Mulders, Suzanne Carrière, Alisdair Veitch, Richard Popko, John Nagy, Jen Lange (1999) Personal Communication. RWED, GNWT - H116 Return
  • Larter Nic (2004) Notes on re-assessment of mammals. e-mail to S Carriere dated 12/11/04 copy in reference binder - H164_05 Return
  • Rob Gau (2008) Terrestrial mammals - news, changes and updates for the general status program. GNWT e-mail o S Carriere 29/10/2008 copy in binder - H219 Return
  • Alasdair Veitch and Richard Popko (2008) CHECKLIST OF VERTEBRATE WILDLIFE SPECIES IN THE SAHTU SETTLEMENT AREA. Sahtu Region, ENR, GNWT copy in binder - H221 Return

Economic Status

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Ecozones

  • Scott FW (1998) Updated status report on the easern populations of the cougar or puma Puma concolor couguar in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) 1998 COSEWIC meeting binder (Suzanne's Office) - R109 Return

Habitat

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return
  • Mammals Committee: Ron Graf, Ray Case, Robert Mulders, Suzanne Carrière, Alisdair Veitch, Richard Popko, John Nagy, Jen Lange (1999) Personal Communication. RWED, GNWT - H116 Return

Intrinsic Vulnerability

  • Novak M et al.(editors) (1987) Wild Furbearer Management and Conservation in North America. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources RWED Library Call #SK355.W5 - B113 Return
  • Mammals Committee: Ron Graf, Ray Case, Robert Mulders, Suzanne Carrière, Alisdair Veitch, Richard Popko, John Nagy, Jen Lange (1999) Personal Communication. RWED, GNWT - H116 Return

Longevity

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

NWT Known Subspecies

Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Number of Occurrences

  • Larter Nic (2004) Notes on re-assessment of mammals. e-mail to S Carriere dated 12/11/04 copy in reference binder - H164_05 Return
  • Gau, R.J., R. Mulders, T. Lamb, and L. Gunn. (2001) Cougars (Puma concolor) in the Northwest Territories and Wood Buffalo National Park.. Arctic 54:185-187. - A124 Return
  • Gau, R.J. and R. Mulders. (2001) Cougars (Puma concolor) in the Northwest Territories.. Government of the Northwest Territories Manuscript Report No. 140. 39 pages. - R152 Return
  • Alasdair Veitch and Richard Popko (2008) CHECKLIST OF VERTEBRATE WILDLIFE SPECIES IN THE SAHTU SETTLEMENT AREA. Sahtu Region, ENR, GNWT copy in binder - H221 Return
  • Nic Larter (2008) RE Cougar - Mackenzie river (Part 2). e-mail to Ken Lambert;Ron Doctor copy in binder - H223 Return

Population Size

Mammals Committee: Ron Graf, Ray Case, Robert Mulders, Suzanne Carrière, Alisdair Veitch, Richard Popko, John Nagy, Jen Lange (1999) Personal Communication. RWED, GNWT - H116 Return

Range Extent

  • Scott FW (1998) Updated status report on the easern populations of the cougar or puma Puma concolor couguar in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) 1998 COSEWIC meeting binder (Suzanne's Office) - R109 Return

Short Term Trends

  • Mammals Committee: Ron Graf, Ray Case, Robert Mulders, Suzanne Carrière, Alisdair Veitch, Richard Popko, John Nagy, Jen Lange (1999) Personal Communication. RWED, GNWT - H116 Return
  • Larter Nic (2004) Notes on re-assessment of mammals. e-mail to S Carriere dated 12/11/04 copy in reference binder - H164_05 Return
  • Rob Gau (2008) Terrestrial mammals - news, changes and updates for the general status program. GNWT e-mail o S Carriere 29/10/2008 copy in binder - H219 Return
  • Alasdair Veitch and Richard Popko (2008) CHECKLIST OF VERTEBRATE WILDLIFE SPECIES IN THE SAHTU SETTLEMENT AREA. Sahtu Region, ENR, GNWT copy in binder - H221 Return

Taxonomy

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Threats

  • Novak M et al.(editors) (1987) Wild Furbearer Management and Conservation in North America. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources RWED Library Call #SK355.W5 - B113 Return
  • Mammals Committee: Ron Graf, Ray Case, Robert Mulders, Suzanne Carrière, Alisdair Veitch, Richard Popko, John Nagy, Jen Lange (1999) Personal Communication. RWED, GNWT - H116 Return