Mountain lions may be doing more than maintaining healthy ecosystems. A new study suggests the large predators are also helping reduce vehicle crashes by influencing where and when deer move across parts of Washington state. Researchers found that areas with a stronger puma presence experienced significantly fewer deer-vehicle collisions than areas where the animals were less common, phys.org reported.
The research, published Aug. 5 in the journal Current Biology, examined puma and deer activity across Washington’s Olympic Peninsula. Scientists concluded that deer modify their behavior when pumas are nearby, leading them to spend less time near roads and become more active during daylight hours, cell.com said.
According to the study, deer were less likely to occupy areas with high road density when pumas were present. Researchers estimated that puma activity was associated with a 67% decrease in the probability of a deer-vehicle collision and a 76% reduction in the total expected number of collisions over a five-year period.
Lead author Justin Suraci of Conservation Science Partners said the findings demonstrate that large carnivores can provide unexpected benefits to people. Researchers found deer reduced their overlap with roadways and shifted more of their movement to daytime periods, when many wildlife collisions tend to be less severe than those occurring at night.
The study sought to better understand what scientists describe as ecosystem services, or indirect benefits wildlife can provide to human communities. While predators are often viewed through the lens of potential risks to people, researchers said their influence on prey species can create measurable public safety benefits, according to eurekalert.org.
Researchers analyzed wildlife camera data, puma tracking information and records of vehicle collisions across the Olympic Peninsula. The findings suggested deer were 15% less likely to be found near road-dense areas and were more likely to remain in remote habitat when pumas occupied the landscape.
Pumas, also known as cougars or mountain lions, are Washington’s largest wild cats. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife describes the animals as highly agile predators that rely on dense vegetation, rocky terrain and other natural cover while hunting.
Researchers said they hope the findings broaden public understanding of the role large predators play in modern ecosystems. Conservation advocates involved in the project argued that coexistence with large carnivores can provide benefits that often go unnoticed, including improved roadway safety.
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