Research - Dr. Ginny Stroeher
Dr. Ginny Stroeher
Department of Biology
Dr. Stroeher's current research focuses on the potential reintroduction of the North American cougar into Eastern Canada. For years unconfirmed sightings of cougars have been reported in several regions of Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritimes, yet no physical evidence has been collected on these animals. More important, it is not known whether these sighted cougars represent members of the North American subspecies or escapees from private owners (which tend to be members of South American subspecies). If they represent the former, this suggests a natural reintroduction or expansion of existing populations of cougars in Quebec. It is critical to identify and confirm any introduction or increase of large carnivore populations in a region because of the potential ramifications for the wilderness ecosystem and the endogeneous animal population.
The objective of Dr. Stroeher's current project is to conduct DNA analysis of field samples collected from scent poles set out in several locations across Gaspé, the Eastern Townships, and Mont Tremblant Park. Dr. Stroeher has teamed up with Dr. Marc Gauthier of Envirotel 3000 to gather and analyse hair samples collected once a month from 19 poles covered with Velcro and scented with cougar urine. The rationale was that if the pole was placed in a cougar's home range, the indigenous cat would mark over the foreign scent and leave tufts of hair attached to the Velcro. This hair would then be used to attempt to isolate and analyse the DNA. The potential impact of these findings is significant. To date the Eastern North American cougar has been categorized as "data deficient" by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, affording it no provincial or federal protection. If Dr. Stroeher's research is able to demonstrate that, in fact, the North American cougar is re-establishing in Eastern Canada, this will place these animals in the "endangered" category of the Western North American cougar, affording it the federal and international protection conveyed to all endangered species.
Partners
Dr. Marc Gauthier, Envirotel 3000, Inc., Sherbrooke, Quebec.
Funding Sources
Senate Research Committee, Bishop’s University
Student involvement
Dr. Stroeher’s research involves undergraduate students from Bishop’s University.
Coordinates
Virginia Stroeher
E-mail: Virginia Stroeher
Phone: 819 822-9600 ext. 2359
Links
Puma concolor: Species Survival Commission-Cat Specialist Group
The World Conservation Union
http://lynx.uio.no/catfolk/puma-01.htm
