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The Cougar Conundrum: Sharing the World with a Successful Predator
The relationship between humans and mountain lions has always been uneasy. A century ago, mountain lions were vilified as a threat to livestock and hunted to the verge of extinction. In recent years, this keystone predator has made a remarkable comeback, but today humans and mountain lions appear destined for a collision course. Its recovery has led to an unexpected conundrum: Do more mountain lions mean they’re a threat to humans and domestic animals? Or, are mountain lions still in need of our help and protection as their habitat dwindles and they’re forced into the edges and crevices of communities to survive?
Mountain lion biologist and expert Mark Elbroch welcomes these tough questions. He dismisses long-held myths about mountain lions and uses groundbreaking science to uncover important new information about their social habits. Elbroch argues that humans and mountain lions can peacefully coexist in close proximity if we ignore uninformed hype and instead arm ourselves with knowledge and common sense. He walks us through the realities of human safety in the presence of mountain lions, livestock safety, competition with hunters for deer and elk, and threats to rare species, dispelling the paranoia with facts and logic. In the last few chapters, he touches on human impacts on mountain lions and the need for a sensible management strategy. The result, he argues, is a win-win for humans, mountain lions, and the ecosystems that depend on keystone predators to keep them in healthy balance.
The Cougar Conundrum delivers a clear-eyed assessment of a modern wildlife challenge, offering practical advice for wildlife managers, conservationists, hunters, and those in the wildland-urban interface who share their habitat with large predators.
Mountain lion biologist and expert Mark Elbroch welcomes these tough questions. He dismisses long-held myths about mountain lions and uses groundbreaking science to uncover important new information about their social habits. Elbroch argues that humans and mountain lions can peacefully coexist in close proximity if we ignore uninformed hype and instead arm ourselves with knowledge and common sense. He walks us through the realities of human safety in the presence of mountain lions, livestock safety, competition with hunters for deer and elk, and threats to rare species, dispelling the paranoia with facts and logic. In the last few chapters, he touches on human impacts on mountain lions and the need for a sensible management strategy. The result, he argues, is a win-win for humans, mountain lions, and the ecosystems that depend on keystone predators to keep them in healthy balance.
The Cougar Conundrum delivers a clear-eyed assessment of a modern wildlife challenge, offering practical advice for wildlife managers, conservationists, hunters, and those in the wildland-urban interface who share their habitat with large predators.
280 pages, Paperback
First published August 13, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 25, 2021
I struggled with this one early on, because it kind of tears into conservation agencies like the one I work with. But I believe in criticism, and if you can't take criticism, then you shouldn't be in the business. Criticism is what helps us figure out how to optimize what we do. It sharpens you and helps you adhere to your true mission.
But I'm also very fascinated by the human dimensions in conservation work, especially where it comes to large predators. Our lack of knowledge, collectively, tends to frame our worldview of these spectacular animals.
If you would have told me we had actual lions in our woods in Oregon, I would have never become so engrossed with Africa or other places with big, engaging wildlife.
In the end, this book was more balanced than it felt while I was reading it. And it provides some things all conservation folks, hunters and wildlife lovers should think about.
But I'm also very fascinated by the human dimensions in conservation work, especially where it comes to large predators. Our lack of knowledge, collectively, tends to frame our worldview of these spectacular animals.
If you would have told me we had actual lions in our woods in Oregon, I would have never become so engrossed with Africa or other places with big, engaging wildlife.
In the end, this book was more balanced than it felt while I was reading it. And it provides some things all conservation folks, hunters and wildlife lovers should think about.
June 30, 2023
I heard the author give a presentation for our land trust, where I work, and he was talking about this very topic. I wanted to learn more, so put this book on my list. My friend, Chris, read it before I did and said it was really well written and a quick read. I wouldn’t say it was a quick read because there were some sections that were a bit of a slog for me, but for the most part, I agree with her assessment. It’s not a long book at 218 pages.
I remember Mark talking about this, but it really struck me that though there have been studies in mountain lions for over 60 years “…we still don’t understand these animals. They are cryptic and elusive and rarely observed”(p8). “Most North American researchers spend their entire careers trying to learn something about mountain lions from the blips and bleeps of handheld receivers, rather than from any opportunity to actually observe the animals, except when they are trapped, or cornered by hounds”(p21).
The people who live in Torres del Paine National Park in southern Patagonia are trying to live with mountain lions, getting very close and trusting that they won’t attack. Getting so close that photographers almost become part of the play area where cubs are romping around. This is very different from the North American approach, which is the focus of this book.
Mountain lions have even been shown to be ecosystem engineers. Not in the same way as beavers, but the analogy works. Mountain lions provide more carcasses than McDonalds provides meat to the world, and those carcasses are “entire neighborhoods in cities, not just super markets” for beetles. Researchers have seen that “Beetles were communing and mating, seeking protection from predators, hunting other invertebrates, and raising their larval young, all within the confines of dead animals provided by mountain lions”(p160).
I was tempted to give this 5 stars, but it’s not a perfect book. I already mentioned that some sections were a bit of a slog. I also wished that there was more on the Olympic Peninsula. There was a brief mention at the end about how it has effectively become an island thanks to I-5 and that has created reduced genetic diversity. I’d love that to be a book in itself - How are the cats on the OP doing? What is the political climate here? Etc
I remember Mark talking about this, but it really struck me that though there have been studies in mountain lions for over 60 years “…we still don’t understand these animals. They are cryptic and elusive and rarely observed”(p8). “Most North American researchers spend their entire careers trying to learn something about mountain lions from the blips and bleeps of handheld receivers, rather than from any opportunity to actually observe the animals, except when they are trapped, or cornered by hounds”(p21).
The people who live in Torres del Paine National Park in southern Patagonia are trying to live with mountain lions, getting very close and trusting that they won’t attack. Getting so close that photographers almost become part of the play area where cubs are romping around. This is very different from the North American approach, which is the focus of this book.
Mountain lions have even been shown to be ecosystem engineers. Not in the same way as beavers, but the analogy works. Mountain lions provide more carcasses than McDonalds provides meat to the world, and those carcasses are “entire neighborhoods in cities, not just super markets” for beetles. Researchers have seen that “Beetles were communing and mating, seeking protection from predators, hunting other invertebrates, and raising their larval young, all within the confines of dead animals provided by mountain lions”(p160).
I was tempted to give this 5 stars, but it’s not a perfect book. I already mentioned that some sections were a bit of a slog. I also wished that there was more on the Olympic Peninsula. There was a brief mention at the end about how it has effectively become an island thanks to I-5 and that has created reduced genetic diversity. I’d love that to be a book in itself - How are the cats on the OP doing? What is the political climate here? Etc
May 7, 2023
Elbroch is a long serving scientist at Panthera and an expert on pumas, having studied and published multiple scientific papers on them. His book provided many insights into America's backyard big cat, their history, biology, how they have recovered quite strongly despite the widespread persecution over the past few centuries, and most importantly the conflict with humans and the dynamics of managing that. The science is by no means equivocal, even after sixty years of field studies, with new discoveries still being made about social behavior, and just how impactful the species is for the other animals in the community and ecosystem. What was most eye opening was the account of the struggles of state wildlife agencies in trying to define policy through discussions with strongly polarized stakeholders such as hunters and wildlife conservationists. While the author's call for more involvement and funding from 'non-consumptive' users like outdoor recreationists is sensible, getting people to put their money where their mouth is is a tough proposition. I personally do not foresee the hunting driven policies of state agencies being changed anytime soon. Interestingly, the proliferation of firearms in the U.S. that has the rest of the world aghast ironically funds a significant portion of the budget for conservation in the country, via a tax bill!
Mountain lions today are clearly out of the woods, with an estimated population of over 30,000 in North America alone, compared to lions (fewer than 20,000) and tigers (just over 3,000). The relatively low density of humans has definitely helped, especially in the West and in Canada. That there are even big cats left in India, one of the world's most densely settled countries is truly a testament to the vastly more tolerant attitudes of the people and authorities to large predators there.
Mountain lions today are clearly out of the woods, with an estimated population of over 30,000 in North America alone, compared to lions (fewer than 20,000) and tigers (just over 3,000). The relatively low density of humans has definitely helped, especially in the West and in Canada. That there are even big cats left in India, one of the world's most densely settled countries is truly a testament to the vastly more tolerant attitudes of the people and authorities to large predators there.
April 28, 2023
This was a well-informed book on the importance of co-existing with apex predators.
I especially love the positive insight that most hunters are really big advocates for wildlife conservation and protection because they spend their time out in nature.
The other idea that had me thinking was how important wildlife tourism actually is. Originally, I was sort of mid about it because I thought interference was creating stress on the animals. I then realized, if done right, predator tourism can lead to advocacy, revenue for need departments, and protection.
Lastly, what made me shrug my shoulders with a big, "I genuinely don't know" is the question posed, "Who is responsible for predator management and if they are, are they liable if humans and pets are hurt?" In a sue-crazy society where it feels like the majority of people are seeking a quick buck from the law system, it can be confusing if the thriving presence of mountain lions creates liability risk for agencies. I wish more people would just take personal accountability and accept that accidents do happen. Mountain lions are wild animals and hunting to the point where they are manageable may lead to the point where society deems them not necessary (although they are a keystone species). Living with predators can be scary and even dangerous, but I think we are far from a place where cougars are more of a real threat than a perceived one.
I especially love the positive insight that most hunters are really big advocates for wildlife conservation and protection because they spend their time out in nature.
The other idea that had me thinking was how important wildlife tourism actually is. Originally, I was sort of mid about it because I thought interference was creating stress on the animals. I then realized, if done right, predator tourism can lead to advocacy, revenue for need departments, and protection.
Lastly, what made me shrug my shoulders with a big, "I genuinely don't know" is the question posed, "Who is responsible for predator management and if they are, are they liable if humans and pets are hurt?" In a sue-crazy society where it feels like the majority of people are seeking a quick buck from the law system, it can be confusing if the thriving presence of mountain lions creates liability risk for agencies. I wish more people would just take personal accountability and accept that accidents do happen. Mountain lions are wild animals and hunting to the point where they are manageable may lead to the point where society deems them not necessary (although they are a keystone species). Living with predators can be scary and even dangerous, but I think we are far from a place where cougars are more of a real threat than a perceived one.
July 15, 2025
Last winter a female cougar near where I live was hunted and killed. The controversy is whether it was a legal hunt as she had two 4-6 month old kittens with her. The kittens were subsequently trapped and will now their lives in captivity. This launched for me a need to understand more about the politics and management of these big cats. This book was recommended to me. First thing I took from this book was I need to not fear these cats. I’m sure I have walked by them many times in my life. I need to respect them, but I should be more afraid of the moose I meet on the trail (which I always do). This female was the poster child for this book. She lived near a vibrant town and a double lane busy highway. She had raised 3 litters of kittens in her short life. She never went after dogs or cats, or people…and many local people knew of her. But she is gone now, and there is a space for a new cat to move in, and we can only hope it will be a ghost in the forest as she was. I also learned that cougar management is complicated and it will take a lot of educating to have people buy into how to preserve these keystone predators. Elbroach didn’t sugarcoat it. We have a long history of fearing these cats, and sometimes it’s justified. I found the juvenile delinquent behaviour of young cats most interesting. Well worth the read to become more educated on these beautiful animals.
August 4, 2022
Overall, an enjoyable, informative audiobook. However, the author does seem to use se misleading language and provide information out of full context when talking about state wildlife agencies management of cougars (ie restitution benefits given to ranchers for livestock loss). The author also makes heavy assumptions about the motivations and intentions of various interest groups in Chapter 8 (ie stating that "naturalistic hunters" could not logically see hunting as recreational). To be fair Chapter 8 has a great call to action and call out foe making wildlife management more well-rounded and inclusive.
January 15, 2025
Very informative and has lots of good information about cat behavior and biology, but the author’s claim of trying to present information without bias is laughable. Obviously anti-hunting (not just of cougars but even of ungulates it seems). Clearly doesn’t agree with the North Americans Model of Wildlife Conservation which is the only reason why the US has been able to recover population levels of numerous species from near extinction or extirpation (including deer, elk, black bears, cougars, bighorn sheep, etc).
February 18, 2021
Informative and touchingly sincere. The politics get a bit wonky, but since that is the book’s main subject matter, it seems a little silly to complain. Was not aware of the extent of the considerable size difference between the males and females, nor how common it is for cougars to share kills with one another. Good book.
April 22, 2022
I appreciated Elbroch’s commitment to objectivity and his unapologetically pragmatic approach to achieving the goal of humans living peacefully with cougars. I learned a lot. Recommended for anyone who is interested in wildlife conservation, particularly in the US, regardless of the species.
December 18, 2020
Really well written, he intersperses his stories in such a way to make all the facts, statistics, and theoretical points more pertinent and digestible. And they are riveting stories.
February 15, 2021
Good, technical read about the complexities, political, social, and financial, of living with the great American lion.
August 10, 2021
Ok this is a pretty good book but i am 1o0% against hunting.
January 5, 2022
One of the best books I’ve ever read. This book changed my world and has me fired up for mountain lions and democratizing the way our wild places are managed.
February 28, 2022
Educational and well-written by an expert on the topic.
May 28, 2024
A great book considering how important predators, often viewed as pests, are so important to the world around us.
April 27, 2025
A friend recommended this book for the perspective that cougars are important beings who deserve to live on our landscapes (just like humans), and that was indeed my favorite thing about it
November 13, 2023
Great insight on how we need to listen to the other side and work together to coexist with mountain lions.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews