Review of Cougar: Ecology and Conservation. Edited by Maurice Hornocker and Sharon Negri.

摘要

Historically, cougars (mountain lions, pumas, or panthers) had an extensive distribution throughout the Americas, ranging from British Columbia in North America to Patagonia at South America's tip. As a native species and a large obligate carnivore, the cougar has a complex relationship with the human population in the Americas. This current book-the product of multiple authors, all with hands-on experience in cougar work, and written in a clear manner appropriate to most audiences-is an important addition to the scientific literature in the field of carnivore conservation in the New World. As a product of many authors, Cougar: Ecology and Conservation reads more like a textbook than a monograph, each author contributing from his or her expertise, an essential element for a volume covering diverse topics. Most chapters provide an instructive overview of the concepts later discussed in depth, an invaluable feature for the nonbiologist. Many of the authors include excellent scientific literature reviews, providing an extensive resource for readers interested in expanding their knowledge or consulting original works mentioned in the chapters.Since it deals with ecological concepts and practicalities involved in large carnivore management in relation to the complexities of today's human population, Cougar: Ecology and Conservation provides a valuable resource for those interested in large carnivores in general as well as the cougar in particular.