Mountain Lion Distribution and Demographics in Val Verde County
Request for Proposals November 2025

Introduction

Science-based management of a species requires data on its distribution, density and abundance, and population dynamics. Additionally, population size and distribution must be monitored over time to determine population trends and to ensure appropriate and timely management actions are taken. Understanding these elements is particularly important for species which require large spaces, occur at inherently low population densities, and are subject to human-harvest, such as the mountain lion (Puma concolor; Jenks 2011).

There are two mountain lion populations in Texas, and the area distinguishing the West Texas population from the South Texas population is likely in Val Verde County (Holbrook et al. 2012). Past research has indicated that density and survival are low in both populations, and that the South Texas population has experienced a large decline in its population size and become greatly isolated from the West Texas population (Pittman et al. 1999, Walker et al. 2000, Harveson et al. 2012, 2024, Holbrook et al. 2012). However, there are no statistically robust population estimates for mountain lions in Texas, and, apart from Harveson et al. (2024), all estimates of survival are based on data collected over 25 years ago. Additionally, even though past studies covered sizable areas, the results may not be reliably extrapolated across the entire respective populations due to variation in anthropogenic land-use, management practices, and habitat. Lastly, there are concerns that mountain lion movement connectivity from the West Texas population to the South Texas population may be limited, though no mountain lion study has yet focused on the area at the nexus of the two populations in the Edwards Plateau.

TPWD seeks to better understand the current local distribution, population status, and population dynamics of mountain lions in Val Verde County and relevant adjacent areas, and to assess connectivity to the South Texas population. We envision fieldwork for this project will be performed using GPS collars and camera traps, though additional methods may also be employed.

Justification

As an SGCN species, research to further our knowledge on mountain lions is justified by the 2025 State Wildlife Action Plan. Additionally, this project is relevant to Goal One and the associated objectives listed below from the 2024 TPWD Land and Water Resource Conservation and Recreation plan:

• Practice, encourage, and enable science-based conservation and stewardship of natural and cultural resources.
  • Be an exemplary steward of the public's lands and waters by using the best available science for ecosystem-based management.
  • Maintain the highest level of scientific validity and credibility.
  • Restore, recover, and protect Species of Greatest Conservation Need, including state and federally listed species.

Research Objectives

The study design should address these main objectives:

1. Determine a spatially explicit population density estimate of independent-aged mountain lions in Val Verde County and relevant adjacent areas:
   1. Investigate the effects of sex and habitat on the estimates
   2. Create a local density surface map of independent-aged mountain lions
2. Estimate local vital rates (sex- and age-class-specific survival, recruitment) and cause-specific mortality rates and project the local sub-population to predict the population trend
3. Map local distribution and predicted movement connectivity to the South Texas population

Optional Objectives

4. Investigate local genetics
   1. Assess the local genetic health of the sub-population in Val Verde County
   2. Evaluate genetic connectivity of Val Verde County mountain lions with mountain lions in South Texas, and surrounding areas
5. Evaluate if the Val Verde area is acting as a source or a sink for mountain lions in the greater population

Investigators are also highly encouraged to communicate and coordinate when applicable with studies currently underway on the South Texas mountain lion population.

Expected Management Implications

Resulting information from this project on mountain lions in Val Verde and surrounding counties will have multiple expected management implications. The estimates of population size and vital rates will be used to assess the current status of the species in this location and to predict the likelihood of local persistence. The information regarding connectivity with South Texas will aid in the status assessment of the South Texas population as well as potentially inform areas of particular conservation interest. The distribution and space-use data will be used to help refine the boundary of a new local data analysis unit to be used in future monitoring. Lastly, the methods used for this project will inform study design for future monitoring efforts. In this way, TPWD will apply the best available science for conservation and management of mountain lions and will simultaneously further develop the science-based management program for the species.