Cougar

Hey there, Earth Rangers! My name is Ashley Sahulka, and I’m a Stewardship Coordinator with the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC). I’m working with a team of conservationists in the Cypress Uplands, a region in the southern part of Saskatchewan that includes a range of habitats—from grasslands to forests—in Cypress Hills. This area is home to more than 1,000 plant and animal species, and has one of the highest densities of cougars anywhere in Canada!

Cougars are large cats with tawny fur, a round head, and small ears. They hold the world record for being the animal with the most names — they have about 40 other names in English alone, including mountain lion, puma, and panther. These sleek cats live throughout North and South America, from the Yukon in Canada all the way down to the Andes Mountains in Patagonia. They make their homes in many different habitats, but they prefer areas with a lot of underbrush and rocky areas, which are good for hunting.

Cougars are carnivores, and they like to hunt alone for animals like deer, elk, rabbits, beavers, and raccoons. Their powerful jaws, big paws, and long retractable front claws make them fearsome predators. Plus, their large back legs give them great leaping abilities. Cougars can leap from the ground up to 18 feet high!

Many cougar habitats are threatened by human development. Fortunately, most of the Cypress Uplands are still intact, and it’s our job to keep it that way. By creating more protected areas and monitoring wildlife activity, my team is working hard to make sure cougars have a safe place to live. We’re also spreading awareness of the importance of this region as a home to cougars and so many other types of wildlife. We’d love your help!

You can support our work by visiting the Adoptions section in the Earth Rangers App or checking out the Earth Rangers Shop to get your Cougar Adoption Kit. Thank you for all you do to be an animal-saving hero!