Grand Staircase-Escalante
Cougar Project
The GSE Cougar Project will conduct a detailed, longitudinal study of mountain lions in the
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (GSENM) in Southern Utah. This research
study will use noninvasive methods to track individual mountain lions, in order to assess
population density and health, determine genetic diversity and relatedness, explore social
and behavioral patterns, and identify their unique role and impact on the landscape. By
comparing cougar populations in the GSENM with those previously studied in Western
Montana and Northern Utah, this project will provide valuable insights into how different
environmental factors—such as resource distribution, prey availability, and human activities
—influence mountain lion behavioral expression and social organization. The research
findings will provide essential data about mountain lion behavior, ecology, and their role in
the landscape that can inform wildlife management strategies, hunting and trapping
regulations, and conservation efforts. Public outreach will be a key component of the
project, with a documentary film and educational resources developed. The goal is to
engage local communities, raise awareness about cougar ecology and conservation, and
foster positive attitudes toward coexistence with mountain lions.
About the Study
Mountain Lions in the GSENM
Mountain lions, once widespread across North America, are increasingly confined to fragmented habitats due to human encroachment and the degradation of critical ecosystems. As apex predators, they play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological integrity of their habitats by regulating prey populations, promoting plant and animal biodiversity, reducing disease transmission, and even increasing soil fertility. In the GSENM, a unique and ecologically vital landscape in southern Utah, mountain lions are under increasing pressure. Habitat disruption from human development and recreation, year-round hunting and trapping, and changing climate conditions are all factors affecting the species’ health and long-term viability. These challenges threaten the mountain lion population and the broader ecosystem they help sustain.
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is one of the most biologically and ecologically significant areas in the American Southwest, encompassing 1.87 million acres of diverse and largely understudied landscapes. The monument’s remote and rugged terrain, featuring dramatic desert canyons and unique geological formations, was the last to be mapped in the continental United States. Since its designation as a national monument in 1996, the GSENM has become a unique outdoor laboratory for scientific research and education, identifying an array of endemic species, a rich diversity of life, and remarkable fossils and artifacts. This landscape also holds deep cultural and historical significance, with ancient cliff dwellings, petroglyphs, pictographs and artifacts from Indigenous peoples who have traveled and inhabited these lands since time immemorial.
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However, in the last decade, political shifts have undermined the monument’s protections, putting its invaluable ecological and cultural resources at risk. The GSENM’s boundaries were reduced by a presidential proclamation, only to be restored years later,
further complicating efforts to safeguard the region’s integrity. In January 2025, the Moab to Mojave Conservation Corridor was established, creating the largest corridor of protected lands in the continental U.S. This corridor spans nearly 18 million acres in the Southwest, extending from Bears Ears National Monument in Utah, through the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (GSENM) to Southern California. With this new designation, there is a growing need for targeted wildlife studies. It is crucial to better understand the mountain lion population in this region to inform conservation strategies and ensure the protection of this vital ecosystem.
Project Overview
The GSE Cougar Project aims to fill critical gaps in knowledge regarding mountain lion populations in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (GSENM). This study will focus on understanding the ecological role of mountain lions in the monument by investigating their population health and dynamics, behavioral patterns, social organization, and interactions with other species.
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The Problem
Filling in the Gaps
The health and stability of mountain lion populations are vital for maintaining ecological balance and preserving biodiversity within the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. However, there has been very limited focused study on cougars in the GSENM, and the available data on mountain lion populations, health, and behavior in the region is sparse. Currently, there is no accurate information about cougar population dynamics
within the monument, and year-round hunting and trapping likely have negative impacts on population sustainability.
Without foundational data on mountain lion population health and density, land management agencies often rely on inaccurate estimates and struggle to make informed decisions about species management, habitat preservation, and human-wildlife conflict mitigation. This lack of understanding hinders effective conservation efforts and risks mismanagement of both mountain lions and their habitats, jeopardizing the ecological integrity of GSENM. Despite the critical role mountain lions play in maintaining ecological balance, they are often misunderstood and viewed as threats by local communities in southern Utah. This perception fosters fear, distrust, and persecution by sport hunting and lethal control measures.
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There is a critical need for a comprehensive study to better understand cougar population dynamics, survival rates, territorial behaviors, and interactions with human communities. Additionally, increased public education and awareness about mountain lion conservation are needed, particularly in Utah, where hunting and trapping are permitted year-round with few restrictions. This research is vital not only for the long-term survival of mountain lions in GSENM but also for advancing broader conservation efforts across the region and North America.
Support the Study
We need your support to make this study a reality! Your generous donations go directly toward funding field operations, purchasing the necessary equipment and supplies like batteries, cameras, memory cards, DNA sample kits, and so much more. Donations are tax-deductible.
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NOTE: When donating, please specify that it is for the GSE Cougar Project.
Donations are distributed by the Felidae Conservation Fund which is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit in the United States. EIN # 20-5089093.
