THE STUDY CATS

The research team has captured 26 pumas in the Santa Cruz Mountains since the study began in 2008. When first captured each cat is given a sequential number plus an 'M' or 'F' designating its gender, and is also given a name that evokes some quality or spirit in the cat. The initial capture is always for adult cats older than 1 year, or for kittens between 4 and 7 weeks. Between 7 weeks and 1 year, a mountain lion is too young to be given drugs, and too powerful to be handled without them!