43 min listen
Episode 405: Challenging Cougar Conflict Misconceptions
Episode 405: Challenging Cougar Conflict Misconceptions
ratings:
Length:
42 minutes
Released:
Nov 8, 2016
Format:
Podcast episode
Description
Cougars are persecuted for the typical reasons: they’re large carnivores that, when they come into conflict with people or places people live, can do significant damage. Add on the instinctual fear we have of large predators, the media’s love of sensationalizing stories about wildlife, and it all starts to make sense. But one study is challenging the way we should be looking at cougar-related conflict. Dr. Chris Darimont, Hakai-Raincoast professor at University of Victoria, science director for Raincoast Conservation, and research scholar for the Hakai Institute, coauthored a study that looked at 30 years of cougar conflict data – along with 30 years of cougar hunting data – and has shown a startling correlation between the two in British Columbia. In simple terms, when cougars are hunted – primarily as trophy animals – Dr. Darimont’s study shows that conflict with livestock and people goes up. To discuss this paper, its wide-ranging ramifications, and why the government and hunters are trying their best to ignore it, Dr. Darimont joined Defender Radio.
Released:
Nov 8, 2016
Format:
Podcast episode
Titles in the series (100)
Episode 102: Drawing lines: A funny thread emerged when we compiled this week's episode of Defender Radio: the lines in our lives. While listening to the interviews, we realized that there are so many crossovers when discussing animal welfare, advocacy and activism. Cary Rentola... by Defender Radio and The Switch