Quarterly Report on Mountain Lion Project – June 1 through September 30, 2005

Methods of detecting mountain lions -

There were 11 mountain lion sighting reports on the Pine Ridge Reservation throughout this quarter period. Of those, only 3 sightings were actually confirmed either by a reputable source or some indication of track, scat or kill. One sighting was on Red Shirt Table and was reported by two rangers that were in the vicinity while spotlighting for the antelope counts. Another was reported by the OST Police Department. This was north of the No Flesh road about ½ mile east of Kyle. The other report was on Goose Neck Road and was confirmed by a reputable source. The Biology Tech Team investigated all eleven reports. Most reports were not confirmed and no evidence was found of mountain lions within the vicinity. There were two reports of possible livestock predation and no reports of threatening behavior from mountain lions to humans. The biology tech team is using the incident reports as a way of trying to pin point possible areas of mountain lion activity. There have been numerous reports of mountain lion sighting near the Yellow Bear area south of Kyle. Though none have been confirmed, several reports from local hunters and resident indicate that one or more mountain lions maybe with in or near this area. One other incident involved tracks around a Sun Dance area, however, no documentation was forwarded to the OSPRA tech team.

There have been three mountain lion tracks that have been confirmed by the tech team. One track was located near White Clay Dam. Another track was found in the south Allen Buffalo Pasture and the other was found near the Wounded Knee Creek just north of Wounded Knee. Methods that the tech team has been using are to do an extensive walking search of the area in question. An incident report is filed if warranted that there is some evidence that there was actually a mountain lion seen. A map using ArcView is being made so that a visual assessment can be made to target areas of mountain lion activity. There have been numerous “rumors” of mountain lions, however, a more efficient and accurate way of communication needs to be done between the rangers, tech team and local law enforcement. A booth was set up at the Oglala Nation Pow-wow and information was handed out regarding the mountain lion project.

There have been two reports of possible livestock predation with no confirmation in either account. Both were investigated, but no evidence of the missing animals was found.

The tech team has been following up on all eleven accounts and will continue to search for signs of mountain lions.

Training –

One day training was done with the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks in Rapid City. More details and more information were shared to the tech team and selected rangers. The SDGFP went through step by step on how they work through a protocol, chase and capture. Also, three rangers and three members of the tech team took part in two day training on immobilization of wildlife. This was an extensive training that focused on all aspects of immobilizing animals and was done by a trained professional.

All tech team members are taking a course on GIS that is a 15 week college course through the local tribal college. This will be used to assist the tech team in building maps of potential mountain lion sightings and also once mountain lions are collared to build maps on territory. Two tech team members will do a final project on mountain lions that will develop maps that will focus on mountain lions.

Development of Protocol -

An extensive document of capture protocol is being developed by OSPRA. This protocol will outline the entire proceedings once a mountain lion sighting is confirmed. It outlines all aspect of the capture, capture team, immobilization techniques and potential hazards that might be encountered both by the team members and possible animal injuries. A relationship has been built between SD Game, Fish and Parks and with local veterinarian clinic on assisting with the actually chase and capture of a mountain lion. A protocol will also be developed for any potential incident reports that may warrant a problem mountain lion being taken due to potential danger to humans. OSPRA is reviewing the potential list of collaborators and team members that will be assisting on the mountain lion chase and collaring. SD Game, Fish and Parks have offered their services with regards to hounds, hounds man, biologist(s) and South Dakota State has offered their Graduate Assistant who works with the mountain lion project in the Black Hills. They would be willing to assist with any mountain lion collaring. A drug protocol is also developed that will hopefully ensure that proper dosage and use is administrated to the animal in question. OSPRA is looking into getting a drug usage license that will enable us to hold, carry and administrate drugs for immobilization without the presence of a veterinarian. A protocol check list has been developed that will ensure that all precautions are taken regarding the safety of the capture team and the animal

Equipment List –

An extensive equipment list has been made and items are being purchased for the mountain lion capture. GPS and VHF collars have been researched and a bid process was put in place to purchase collars and supporting equipment. Chase and capture items were also researched and are being purchased which include safety net, tree climbing gear, immobilization guns, backpacks, veterinarian supplies, blankets, and other items needed for a successful chase and collaring. Research has also been done into making a mountain lion capture cage that can be used instead of a chase protocol. OSPRA has found a design and will be making a capture cage that meets the needs of trapping a live mountain lion.

Sylvatic Plague Outbreak

Efforts to locate mountain lion were hampered due to the positive test of sylvatic plague on the Pine Ridge Reservation. On July 28, 2005, the OSPRA Staff confirmed Sylvatic Plague from a black-tailed prairie dog collected from the southwest area of Pine Ridge Reservation. OSPRA began working with a federal team which consisted of BIA, APHIS, CDC, IHS, USFWS and several tribal agencies to monitor and document this outbreak. The biology tech team then began to monitor the outbreak of sylvatic plague based on “ghost towns” of prairie dogs. The tech team will assist in monitoring the plague outbreak by periodically surveying areas of prairie dog towns for live towns, towns that might have dieing prairie dogs or ghost towns. A Plague Prairie Dog monitoring form was developed to build a working document of the plague area. Through the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks Wildlife Division, and the above mentioned federal entities, on-going monitoring will be done by using Arcview and visual assessment. Also, blood samples or nuboto strips will be used on all animals that maybe susceptible to plague or carry titers in the blood. Flea swapping of prairie dog holes will also be done on a periodic base. The plague has a potential impact on mountain lions due to the fact that sylvatic plague can have a devastating impact on felines.