570 items found

No search filters
Sorted by Title
Sort by: Identifier Title Type Subject
ID: Most commonly asked questions about urban coyotes
Most commonly asked questions about urban coyotes
Type: Text
Subjects: Coyotes
Item
view first image of Most commonly asked questions about urban coyotes
Most commonly asked questions about urban coyotes
Type:Text
Subject:Coyotes
Description:Coyotes have always been in the city, but reports of conflicts are on the rise. Residential areas provide habitat (food, water, shelter and space) for coyotes. Plentiful food sources exist such as mice, rabbits, squirrels, and voles. Urban coyotes have also learned to take advantage of the ample human-associated foods, such as garbage, pet food, bird seed and compost piles. Some coyotes have also learned that unattended pets are an easy food source. Shelter and water can be found in parks, yards and natural areas. [show more]
ID: Mountain Lion
Mountain Lion
Type:
Subjects:
Item
view first image of Mountain Lion
Mountain Lion
Description:

Mountain lions​, also known as cougars or pumas, reign as Colorado's largest cat. However, in recent years, human and mountain lion interactions have increased, prompting research projects focused on testing potential management solutions and collecting information about mountain lion behavior and population dynamics. The results of this research will also help wildlife managers set harvest quotas.

 [show more]
ID: Mountain Lion Demographics and Human Interactions Along the Urban-Exurban Front Range
Mountain Lion Demographics and Human Interactions Along the Urban-Exurban Front Range
Type:
Subjects:
Item
view first image of Mountain Lion Demographics and Human Interactions Along the Urban-Exurban Front Range
Mountain Lion Demographics and Human Interactions Along the Urban-Exurban Front Range
Description:

Led ByMat Alldredge​

Study AreaBoulder and Jefferson Counties

Project StatusCompleted - Read the ​June 2016 Wildlife Research Report​.​

Research Objectives

  • To assess mountain lion population demographics, movements, habitat use, prey selectivity and human interactions along the urban-exurban Front Range.
  • To assess conditioning techniques to keep mountain lions away from urban/exurban areas.
  • To assess mountain lion response to relocation.

Project Description

Colorado Parks and Wildlife found that most people find value in maintaining Colorado's mountain lion population in a 2005 public opinion survey. However, concern is growing over increased human-mountain lion conflicts. As a result, CPW initiated a long-term study to test various management strategies to reduce conflict and to collect data on mountain lion populations. 

Researchers focused the study on two management strategies: aversive conditioning, a method used to train mountain lions to stay away from urban/exurban areas, and relocation, a method that must be used if a mountain lion is found in a residential neighborhood.

Because most human-mountain lion interactions occurred in residential neighborhoods, researchers had few possibilities to implement conditioning techniques, thus its effectiveness as a management technique led to mixed results. 

In the past, relocation has also shown mixed results, but renewed interest in this management technique prompted researchers to explore this method in more detail. Relocation if not planned properly, can result in subsequent conflicts or the animal's death. Therefore, a successful relocation requires a relocation site that is far enough from the problem area, has suitable prey, and is remote enough so that future conflicts do not occur. 

To collect data on mountain lion feeding behaviors, researchers captured and outfitted mountain lions with GPS collars. These collars transmitted GPS coordinates for each cat every three hours, which allowed researchers to identify likely kill sites. GPS data also allowed researchers to collect data on mountain lion movement and habitat use. 

Graduate students and professionals used the GPS data collected during this project to investigate other research questions related to mountain lion population demographics and feeding behavior. Summaries of these projects are listed below.

Mountain Lion Foraging in an Urban to Rural Landscape

This project aimed to collect data on mountain lion feeding practices. Using data from mountain lions with GPS collars, researchers determined when and where mountain lions killed their prey in relation to human development and habitat. 

Modeling Movements of Mountain Lions

Researchers developed movement models and examined mountain lion GPS data for various movement patterns relative to roads, human density/activity, and other landscape/environmental features.

Predator-Prey Dynamics in Relation to Chronic Wasting Disease and Scavenging Interactions at Mountain Lion Kill Sites

This project aimed to document how often scavengers, such as black bears or red foxes, try to steal mountain lion kills and how successful they are in the process. Using motion-sensor cameras, researchers determined the average time it took for competing scavengers to arrive at a kill site and if the scavenger was successful at driving away the mountain lion. In addition, if a mountain lion killed a deer, elk or moose, the carcass was tested for chronic wasting disease. This allowed researchers to test the theory that predators seek out sick, old and young prey.  

The Use of Lures, Hair Snares, and Snow Tracking as Non-invasive Sampling Techniques to Detect and Identify Mountain Lions

This project aimed to test the use of non-invasive genetic sampling techniques to estimate population size, which is used to set harvest quotas, evaluate management practices and understand predator-prey dynamics. Researchers developed and evaluated snow tracking and hair snags for their potential use in non-invasive population sampling.  The use of calls to lure mountain lions into a hair snag was a novel concept that has shown great potential for future use. CPW initiated a long-term project to build on this work work. [show more]
ID: Mountain Whitefish
Mountain Whitefish
Type:
Subjects:
Item
view first image of Mountain Whitefish
Mountain Whitefish
Description:

One of only two salmonids native to Colorado, the mountain whitefish was historically found in just the Yampa and White River drainages in the northwestern part of the state. Alarming declines in the Yampa River in the late 1990s spurred interest in this relatively unstudied species. Similar declines were documented in almost every other state across the native range during the same time period, while other populations in neighboring drainages often remained robust.

Mountain Whitefish work group

A working group was established in January 2009, out of a gathering held in Silverthorne, Colorado to review what little we know about mountain whitefish and to direct future research efforts. To be included in this group and receive subsequent mailings, please contact kevin.rogers@state.co.us.

Documents of interest to group members include:

Mountain Whitefish Research

Monitoring mountain whitefish populations

Biologists are using electrofishing and mark-recapture methods to evaluate mountain whitefish population size in Colorado drainages where fish are native (Yampa and White Rivers), as well as where these fish were relocated in the 1940s (Cache la Poudre and Colorado Rivers). Population monitoring is essential for evaluating the health of these fisheries.

Whirling disease and Mountain Whitefish

Though numerous studies have explored the sensitivity of various trout subspecies to whirling disease, little has been done with mountain whitefish despite being one of only two salmonids native to Colorado. Recent declines in mountain whitefish populations in the Yampa River have been blamed on predation by northern pike and drought-induced low river flows, particularly in the summer of 2002. However, whirling disease also invaded this drainage in the late 1990s. This study was conducted to examine the role whirling disease might have played in the decline of Yampa River mountain whitefish populations.

Vulnerability to whirling disease is being explored by raising captive mountain whitefish fry, exposing them to known quantities of the parasite, then evaluating survival and subsequent infection. This research is ongoing.

Water quality

The coincident decline of mountain whitefish populations during the drought experienced in the early part of this decade led biologists to believe that elevated water temperatures might have been at least partially responsible. Thermal tolerances of mountain whitefish fry are currently being studied at the Aquatic Toxicology Laboratory in Fort Collins.

In addition, sensitivity to several metals was evaluated in mountain whitefish embryo, larvae and fry. Acute and chronic toxicity tests results indicate that mountain whitefish are similar to other salmonids in their sensitivity to cadmium and zinc. However, whitefish were very sensitive to copper exposure. Additional details on toxicity test results can be found in the Water Pollution Studies Federal Aid Report (pages 10-22).

 [show more]
ID: Movement reveals scale dependence in habitat selection of a large ungulate
Movement reveals scale dependence in habitat selection of a large ungulate
Type: Article
Subjects: Animal movement
Hydrocarbon development
Movement ecology
<em>Odocoileus hemionus</em>
Oil and natural gas
Resource selection function
Wildlife
Item
view first image of Movement reveals scale dependence in habitat selection of a large ungulate
Movement reveals scale dependence in habitat selection of a large ungulate
Type:Article
Subject:Animal movement
Hydrocarbon development
Movement ecology
<em>Odocoileus hemionus</em>
Oil and natural gas
Resource selection function
Wildlife
Description:Ecological processes operate across temporal and spatial scales. Anthropogenic disturbances impact these processes, but examinations of scale dependence in impacts are infrequent. Such examinations can provide important insight to wildlife–human interactions and guide management efforts to reduce impacts. We assessed spatiotemporal scale dependence in habitat selection of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in the Piceance Basin of Colorado, USA, an area of ongoing natural gas development. We employed a newly developed animal movement method to assess habitat selection across scales defined using animal-centric spatiotemporal definitions ranging from the local (defined from five hour movements) to the broad (defined from weekly movements). We extended our analysis to examine variation in scale dependence between night and day and assess functional responses in habitat selection patterns relative to the density of anthropogenic features. Mule deer displayed scale invariance in the direction of their response to energy development features, avoiding well pads and the areas closest to roads at all scales, though with increasing strength of avoidance at coarser scales. Deer displayed scale-dependent responses to most other habitat features, including land cover type and habitat edges. Selection differed between night and day at the finest scales, but homogenized as scale increased. Deer displayed functional responses to development, with deer inhabiting the least developed ranges more strongly avoiding development relative to those with more development in their ranges. Energy development was a primary driver of habitat selection patterns in mule deer, structuring their behaviors across all scales examined. Stronger avoidance at coarser scales suggests that deer behaviorally mediated their interaction with development, but only to a degree. At higher development densities than seen in this area, such mediation may not be possible and thus maintenance of sufficient habitat with lower development densities will be a critical best management practice as development expands globally. [show more]
ID: Mule Deer
Mule Deer
Type:
Subjects:
Item
view first image of Mule Deer
Mule Deer
Description:

CPW website species profile: Mule Deer

Mule deer​ populations in Colorado have shown dramatic fluctuations since the 1960s. Beginning in the 1990s, some western Colorado mule deer herds demonstrated the most recent decline. As such, CPW focused research efforts on developing management techniques to increase the health and survival of mule deer, an economically and ecologically important game animal. 

Mule Deer Research Projects:

 [show more]
ID: Mule Deer in Northwest Colorado Fact Sheet (2014)
Mule Deer in Northwest Colorado Fact Sheet (2014)
Type: Fact Sheet
Subjects: Mule deer
Northwest Colorado
Wildlife management
Oil and gas development
Fact sheet
Item
view first image of Mule Deer in Northwest Colorado Fact Sheet (2014)
Mule Deer in Northwest Colorado Fact Sheet (2014)
Type:Fact Sheet
Subject:Mule deer
Northwest Colorado
Wildlife management
Oil and gas development
Fact sheet
Description:Colorado Parks and Wildlife is concerned with the habitat needs and management of mule deer in the Piceance Basin, a 7,100 square mile area in northwest Colorado where natural gas resources are being developed extensively.
ID: Nathaniel Rayl, Wildlife Research Scientist
Nathaniel Rayl, Wildlife Research Scientist
Type:
Subjects:
Item
view first image of Nathaniel Rayl, Wildlife Research Scientist
Nathaniel Rayl, Wildlife Research Scientist
Description:

Wildlife Researcher, Ungulates/Carnivores

Current or Recent Research Projects

Areas of Interest and ExpertiseMy research focuses on large mammal ecology and management, with an emphasis on spatial ecology, population dynamics, and predator-prey interactions.

Streaming VideosEmblems of the West

Select Publications

Educ​ation

  • Ph.D., Wildlife, Fish & Conservation Biology – University of Massachusetts, 2017
  • M.S., Wildlife, Fish & Conservation Biology – University of Massachusetts, 2012
  • B.A., Philosophy – Haverford College, 2000

Current or Recent Positions

  • Wildlife Researcher – Colorado Parks and Wildlife, 2018-Present
  • Ecologist – U.S. Geological Survey, 2016-2018

​Contact Information711 Independent AveGrand Junction, CO 81505

Email: nathaniel.rayl@state.co.usPhone: 970-255-6121 [show more]
ID: Native Cutthroat Trout Fact Sheet
Native Cutthroat Trout Fact Sheet
Type:
Subjects:
Item
view first image of Native Cutthroat Trout Fact Sheet<br />
Native Cutthroat Trout Fact Sheet
ID: NEW Draw Recap Reports and Hunting Statistics
NEW Draw Recap Reports and Hunting Statistics
Type:
Subjects:
Item
view first image of NEW Draw Recap Reports and Hunting Statistics
NEW Draw Recap Reports and Hunting Statistics
Description:http://cpw.state.co.us/thingstodo/Pages/Statistics.aspxIn an effort to assist Colorado's big game hunters applying for the draw, Colorado Parks and Wildlife provides the following draw and hunting season information. These reports show how many licenses were available in all big game management units throughout Colorado, how many hunters applied for those limited licenses, how many of those hunters were successful drawing and how many preference points it took to be successful. [show more]