Mountain Lions Make Roads Safer
The hidden safety benefits of these kings of the mountains The post Mountain Lions Make Roads Safer appeared first on Nautilus .
Mountain lions, also known as pumas, have been making a comeback in western regions of the United States and are now being recognized for their potential to enhance road safety. A new study published in Current Biology reveals that the presence of these big cats could significantly reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions. Researchers from Conservation Science Partners in California, along with experts from various Native American tribes, discovered that black-tailed deer, which are the primary prey of pumas in the region, were involved in 92 percent of wildlife-vehicle collisions on Washington State's Olympic Peninsula.
The study, which analyzed data from 503 camera traps and 59 GPS-collared pumas, found that when pumas were present, deer were more active during daylight hours, reducing their dangerous evening trips onto roads by an estimated 67 percent. By avoiding areas of high puma presence, deer spend less time near roads, ultimately leading to a decrease in the likelihood of collisions.
As pumas continue to recolonize their former habitats, understanding their role in reducing road accidents may help alleviate concerns about coexisting with these predators and could contribute to their population recovery.
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