CPW is a nationally recognized leader in conservation, outdoor recreation and wildlife management. The agency manages 43 state parks, all of Colorado's 960-plus wildlife species, more than 350 state wildlife areas and a host of recreational programs from hunting and fishing to the state’s trails program, boat registrations, snowmobiles, off-highway vehicles and more. All of its management is in perpetuity for the enjoyment of Coloradans and its visitors and this podcast is dedicated to telling the stories and happenings in Colorado's great outdoors!
Mountain lions are a fascinating yet elusive animal, but when they do pop on the radar they make for big headlines. Thanks to sound management practices implemented over the years, mountain lions are doing quite well in Colorado and the west. The challenge going forward will be balancing decreasing habitats and our exploding human populations, since we share the same spaces. In this episode we discuss that and more with Mat Alldredge, a wildlife researcher for CPW who is a leading expert on mountain lions.
Topic list:
2:00 - Mat Alldredge's history researching mountain lions
3:05 - biological lesson on mountain lions
4:45 - their elusive nature
6:05 - why did the agency produce an educational video series on lions
7:55 - helping the species recover from dwindling populations in the early 1900s
10:50 - mountain lions in urban environments
13:20 - what to do if you encounter a mountain lion
16:30 - Mat Alldredge’s encounters with mountain lions
18:00 - view of mountain lions
18:30 - groups of mountain lions
20:20 - what is the outlook of mountain lions in Colorado
22:45 - importance of hunting
