Mountain Lions in Los Angeles Are Turning Nocturnal Due to Humans Encroaching Their Habitat, Study Finds

Mountain lions in Greater Los Angeles have gotten more and more nocturnal as a response to human leisure actions, based on a examine revealed on November 15 within the Biological Conservation journal. The analysis highlights how these giant predators, also referred to as pumas or cougars, are adapting their pure exercise patterns to minimise encounters with people who frequent their habitats for climbing, biking, and jogging. These behavioural shifts present and spotlight the challenges confronted by wildlife coexisting with city populations.

Study Reveals Shifts in Activity Patterns

The study, led by Ellie Bolas, a doctoral researcher on the University of California, Davis, analysed information collected from 22 GPS-collared mountain lions within the Santa Monica Mountains between 2011 and 2018. Using train exercise information from the web platform Strava, the crew in contrast human leisure patterns with the actions of the collared mountain lions.

The findings revealed that mountain lions in areas with greater human exercise shifted their peak exercise occasions from daybreak and nightfall to nighttime. This behavioural flexibility permits the predators to keep away from human presence whereas persevering with to hunt and perform different important behaviours.

Broader Implications for Wildlife and Coexistence

The phenomenon of animals turning into extra nocturnal to evade people just isn’t unique to mountain lions. There have been related developments noticed earlier than globally amongst different mammals. Research performed in 2019 indicated that even the sound of human voices might deter mountain lions, demonstrating the deep-seated wariness of people amongst these animals attributable to historic persecution.

Mountain lions in city areas like Los Angeles face extra pressures, together with habitat fragmentation, wildfires and low genetic range. The examine highlights leisure actions as a possible stressor, affecting the power they expend on looking and survival.

Bolas emphasised the significance of recognising these diversifications, stating that coexistence depends on the flexibleness exhibited by wildlife. Despite the challenges, mountain lions proceed to regulate to human exercise, demonstrating resilience in shared landscapes.