Age structure, survival, and mortality of mountain lions in southeastern Arizona

Reliable estimates of survival and mortality rates for mountain liens (Puma concolor) have been difficult to obtain because of their low densities and secretive behavior. We estimated annual survival and cause-specific mortality rates for a heavily exploited mountain lion population in southeastern Arizona from February 1991 to April 1994. We monitored 24 adult radio-collared mountain lions weekly We used MICROMORT to determine daily, annual, and overall survival rates. Radio-collared mountain lions had low annual survival (0.62). Depredation control was the leading cause of mortality. Survival rates of female (0.67) and male (0.58) lions did not differ Because of the high mortality in the area of depredation control, this area may represent a mortality sink.