Yellowstone Association Institute Press Releases

Yellowstone Association Institute Press Releases Index

Cougars in Yellowstone National Park

December 20, 2005

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK – Come as close as you can to Yellowstone’s most elusive large carnivore—the cougar—by exploring the prime cougar habitat of the Northern Range with the lead scientist of the Yellowstone Cougar Project. During challenging field trips on steep, rocky slopes, you will likely find cougar toilets, bed sites, and tree-scratches -- but probably won’t actually see this ghost of the Rockies.

The seminar, taught by Dr. Toni Ruth, begins on February 4, 2006 at 9:00 a.m. and ends on February 5, 2006 at 4:00 p.m. Dr. Ruth is an associate conservation scientist with the Wildlife Conservation Society, she leads the Yellowstone cougar project, which is investigating the effects of wolf reintroduction on the cougar population. She has studied these and other large carnivores in a variety of habitats including Florida, Texas, New Mexico, and Montana.

The program entails brisk aerobic snowshoeing with steep, rugged, off-trail hiking or climbing including breaking trail in variable snow conditions. Snowshoes, which can be rented locally, are required.

The fee for the course is $150 (Yellowstone Association members get a $10 discount). Heated cabins can be rented at the Buffalo Ranch for $25.00 per person per night.

The Institute is a nonprofit field school operated by the National Park’s official educational partner, the Yellowstone Association. The Institute offers a variety of courses in ecology, wilderness skills, and natural history year-round in Yellowstone National Park.

To enroll in this or another field seminar, or to request a catalog that includes a full description of all summer and fall courses, please contact the Yellowstone Association Institute at PO Box 117, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190 307-344-2294. Complete information is also available at www.YellowstoneAssociation.org.