Stress response of cougars to nonlethal pursuit by hunters

Abstract

Five cougars (Felis concolor) were captured and an adrenal response test was administered by injecting synthetic adrenocorticotropic hormone and monitoring plasma cortisol levels at 15-min intervals for 120 min. Three were selected for treatment and chased 5 or 6 more times to simulate the stress they might experience during a pursuit-only season; the other two served as controls and were chased only once more, at recapture. The adrenal response test was administered again at recapture. The cougars in the treatment group had a lowered plasma cortisol profile after the simulated pursuit season, indicating an altered physiological response of the adrenals to the stress of repeated chases.