Bio-logging collar reveals unprecedented detail about California mountain lions

The video explores the secretive nature of mountain lions in Northern California and the challenges in studying them. Wildlife ecologist Chris Wilmers and his team use advanced GPS collars to track the animals' movements, behavior, and physiology. These collars, developed with support from the National Science Foundation, provide unprecedented data on the cats' biology and habitat preferences. The team, including computer engineer Gabriel Alkyne and biologist Terry Williams, aims to understand the metabolic needs of mountain lions to prevent conflicts with humans. The research also involves working with state planners to create safe crossings for wildlife near urban areas.

What makes mountain lions particularly challenging for researchers to study?

• They are found only in remote areas.

• They are very aggressive.

• They are nocturnal and secretive.

• They live in large groups.

What is unique about the collars used to track mountain lions?

• They are visible from a distance.

• They are made of gold.

• They can only track location.

• They record detailed data about behavior and physiology.

Who designed the sensors for the mountain lion tracking collars?

• Miles O'Brien

• Terry Williams

• Gabriel Alkyne

• Chris Wilmers

How might the research on mountain lions help prevent conflicts with livestock?

• By training mountain lions to avoid livestock.

• By building fences around livestock.

• By predicting when mountain lions are hungry.

• By relocating all mountain lions.

What is one of the goals of working with state transportation planners?

• To reduce the number of mountain lions.

• To increase urban development.

• To identify range boundaries for safe wildlife crossings.

• To build more roads.