A habitat suitability analysis for cougar (Puma concolor) in Minnesota

Abstract

Cougars are spreading eastward from established source populations in western states (e.g., Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado) and from more recently established populations in North and South Dakota. Dozens of sightings of individual cougars have been confirmed as far east as Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Cougars employ a land-tenure system in which resident adults establish home ranges in high quality habitat. Sub-adults utilize lower quality habitats when dispersing, eventually establishing home ranges in areas with available mates, vulnerable prey, and suitable cover for hunting. I created a habitat suitability model to identify potential cougar habitat in Minnesota. Land cover, road density, and deer density were used to identify high quality habitat. I created data sets for each, and combined and analyzed these to determine the location and amount of suitable cougar habitat available in the state. Nearly 56,600 km2 of ideal habitat exists in Minnesota.