Trends in populations of mountain lion in Carlsbad Caverns and Guadalupe Mountains National Parks

In the United States, the mountain lion (Puma concolor) is limited to the w estern states and an isolated population in Florida. Recent reports suggest that numbers of mountain lions in the west are increasing; however, most e stimates are based on biased harvest records, mortality reports, or sightin gs. Our purpose was to assess trends in mountain lion populations in two ar eas within the Chihuahuan Desert by use of multiple-sign surveys. Transect s were monitored in spring and fall 1987 to 1996 in Carlsbad Caverns (CCNP) and Guadalupe Mountains National Parks (GMNP). Amount and trpe of mountain lion sign ill each park differed and was likely related to the dominant su bstrate. A decreasing trend in mountain lion sign was observed on GMNP from fall 1987 to fall 1991 and an increasing trend in mountain lion sign was o bserved from Spring 1992 to Spring 1996. No trend was observed on CCNP from fall 1987 to spring 1996. Mortalities on adjacent lands may hale reduced n umbers of mountain lions at GMNP. Multiple-sign transects may provide a use ful tool for monitoring populations of mountain liens in other regions of t he Southwest.