Goal: Enhance and expand areas occupied by mountain lion in San Diego County in large interconnected blocks (>1,000 acres) of suitable natural vegetation surrounded by a limited number of high use roads, and increase connectivity (and reduce potential road mortality) between occupied and suitable habitat areas to allow expansion and movement of mountain lion occurrences within San Diego County and adjacent counties to increase effective population size to sustainable levels and work to reduce depredation on livestock to ensure persistence in the MSPA over the long-term (>100 years).
Management units: 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10
In 2017, finalize efforts begun in 2016, using available regional mountain lion movement data, to develop quantitative models of mountain lion movement in the MSPA to validate likely movement patterns and to assist with linkage and land protection prioritization.
| Action | Statement | Action status | Projects |
|---|---|---|---|
| RES-1 | Project metadata, data, and report submitted to MSP web portal | completed | Mountain Lion Connectivity and Genetics Study- North San Diego County, Mountain Lion Critical Linkage Evaluation in MSPA |
| Criteria | Deadline year |
|---|---|
| Mountain lion connectivity model completed by 2017 | 2021 |
| Threat Name | Threat Code |
|---|---|
| Human uses of the Preserves | HUMUSE |
| Loss of connectivity | LOSCON |
| Urban development | URBDEV |
Management units: 5, 8, 9, 10
In 2017-2018, guided by information from telemetry studies and mountain lion movement modelling, prioritize potential mountain lion crossing locations for SR 78, SR 76, SR 79, I-15, and other priority roads. For each priority crossing location, conduct detailed linkage assessments to identify existing impediments to successful crossings and recommendations for wildlife crossing infrastructure improvement (culvert maintenance, undercrossing construction, fencing, etc.) and habitat/land protection needs.
| Action | Statement | Action status | Projects |
|---|---|---|---|
| EVAL-1 | Use telemetry and modelling data to inform important wildlife crossing locations along SR 78, SR 76 and SR 79 where follow up surveys will be conducted to identify specific locations and recommendations for wildlife crossing infrastructure improvements. | in progress | Mountain Lion Connectivity and Genetics Study- North San Diego County |
| EVAL-2 | At each location, detailed field assessments will be performed to identify existing impediments to successful crossings, specific recommendations for wildlife crossing infrastructure improvements, and land protection needs in the area defined in order to provide for long term successful connectivity between protected lands for mountain lions and other wildlife. | in progress | Mountain Lion Road Crossing and Deterrent Methods Evaluations |
| EVAL-3 | Project metadata, data, and reports submitted to MSP web portal. | in progress | Mountain Lion Connectivity and Genetics Study- North San Diego County |
| Criteria | Deadline year |
|---|---|
| By 2019, linkage evaluations completed for mountain lion crossing locations for SR 76, SR 79, SR 78 and other priority roads | 2021 |
| Threat Name | Threat Code |
|---|---|
| Human uses of the Preserves | HUMUSE |
| Loss of connectivity | LOSCON |
| Urban development | URBDEV |
Management units: 5, 8, 9, 10
Beginning in 2017 and based on linkage assessment results, prepare Linkage Implementation Plan that outlines specific locations and recommendations for improving mountain lion and deer connectivity across SR 78, 76, 79 and other priority roads in MU s 5, 8, 9, and 10.
| Action | Statement | Action status | Projects |
|---|---|---|---|
| PRP-1 | Linkage Implementation Plans will identify the locations and design criteria for needed wildlife crossing infrastructure for priority roads and highways in MUs 5, 8, 9, and 10, including locations for road under/overcrossings and barrier fences to funnel lions and other wildlife to crossing locations for priority highways and roads | waiting for precedent action | |
| PRP-2 | Submit data and reports to MSP web portal. | waiting for precedent action |
| Criteria | Deadline year |
|---|---|
| Mountain lion and deer linkage implementation plan completed for MU 5, 8, 9 and 10 by 2019 | 2021 |
| Threat Name | Threat Code |
|---|---|
| Human uses of the Preserves | HUMUSE |
| Loss of connectivity | LOSCON |
| Urban development | URBDEV |
Management units: 5, 8, 9, 10
Beginning in 2019, implement linkage enhancement actions outlined in linkage evaluations and linkage implementation plans
| Action | Statement | Action status | Projects |
|---|---|---|---|
| IMP-1 | As funding becomes available, implement priority wildlife crossing improvements for MU 5, 8, 9, 10 and other priority roads. | waiting for precedent action |
| Criteria | Deadline year |
|---|---|
| Management actions to improve connectivity for mountain lions and deer implemented | 2021 |
| Threat Name | Threat Code |
|---|---|
| Human uses of the Preserves | HUMUSE |
| Loss of connectivity | LOSCON |
| Urban development | URBDEV |
Management units: 5, 8, 9, 10
Beginning in 2019, monitor implementation and effectiveness of linkage enhancements actions for mountain lions and other species, including mule deer.
| Action | Statement | Action status | Projects |
|---|---|---|---|
| IMP-1 | Submit Metadata, data, and report to MSP web portal. | waiting for precedent action |
| Criteria | Deadline year |
|---|---|
| Monitoring data submitted to MSP web portal within one year of management actions being completed. | 2021 |
| Threat Name | Threat Code |
|---|---|
| Human uses of the Preserves | HUMUSE |
| Loss of connectivity | LOSCON |
| Urban development | URBDEV |
Management units: 5, 8, 9, 10
Beginning in 2017, support efforts by UC Davis Wildlife Health Center and others to test the effectiveness of various methods to deter mountain lions and other native predators from preying on livestock/domestic animals in locations where depredation permits have been issued in recent past, with the goal of reducing depredation permits by 50%.
| Action | Statement | Action status | Projects |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEV-1 | Research existing predator deterrent systems for their applicability to southern California wildlife communities. | in progress | Mountain Lion Road Crossing and Deterrent Methods Evaluations |
| DEV-2 | Implement quantitative pilot study to evaluate effectiveness of various methods in deterring native predators from taking livestock. | in progress | Mountain Lion Road Crossing and Deterrent Methods Evaluations |
| DEV-3 | From these studies, establish a set of "Best Practices" for protecting livestock from native predators. | in progress | Mountain Lion Road Crossing and Deterrent Methods Evaluations |
| DEV-4 | Support efforts in the development of outreach materials to livestock owners on proper husbandry and native predator deterrence techniques to protect livestock from native predators. | in progress | Mountain Lion Road Crossing and Deterrent Methods Evaluations |
| DEV-5 | Submit project metadata, data, and BMPs to MSP web portal. | in progress | Mountain Lion Road Crossing and Deterrent Methods Evaluations |
| Criteria | Deadline year |
|---|---|
| Best Practices for Reducing native predator take of domestic livestock developed and disseminated to landowners. | 2021 |
| Threat Name | Threat Code |
|---|---|
| Human uses of the Preserves | HUMUSE |
| Urban development | URBDEV |
Management units: 5, 8, 9, 10
Beginning in 2019, implement Best Management Practices for deterring mountain lions and other predators from preying on livestock/domestic animals with the goal of reducing depredation permits by 50%.
| Action | Statement | Action status | Projects |
|---|---|---|---|
| IMP-1 | Submit Metadata, data, and management actions to MSP web portal. | waiting for precedent action |
| Criteria | Deadline year |
|---|---|
| BMPs implemented to reduce mountain lion predation on domestic animals | 2021 |
| Threat Name | Threat Code |
|---|---|
| Human uses of the Preserves | HUMUSE |
| Urban development | URBDEV |
Management units: 5, 8, 9, 10
Beginning in 2019, monitor the effectiveness of BMPs implemented to deter mountain lions and other predators from preying on livestock/domestic animals.
| Action | Statement | Action status | Projects |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEV-1 | Implement field studies to assess effectiveness of BMPs in reducing livestock predation by mountain lions and other native predators | Unknown | |
| DEV-2 | Monitor rate of depredation permits to evaluate if BMPs are having desired effect on reducing lion mortalities. | Unknown | |
| DEV-3 | Submit project metadata, monitoring data and results to MSP web portal. | Unknown |
| Criteria | Deadline year |
|---|---|
| Monitoring effectiveness of BMPs implemented within one year of management actions | 2021 |
| Threat Name | Threat Code |
|---|---|
| Human uses of the Preserves | HUMUSE |
| Urban development | URBDEV |
Management units: 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10
In 2020, develop a long-term monitoring strategy that integrates BMPs to document mountain lion population, connectivity and distribution within the MSPA. Monitoring plan will incorporate, as feasible: 1) possible non invasive methods for monitoring genetic connectivity (scat, hair snares, tracks, etc.), 2) methods for integrating camera trap data from various sources to answer questions regarding lion movement and distribution, and 3) a regional database to track information on lion mortalities and cause (vehicle strikes, depredation permits, illegal take, etc.) to identify problem areas and to inform management actions.
| Action | Statement | Action status | Projects |
|---|---|---|---|
| PRP-1 | Work with UCD to evaluate the feasibility of various mountain lion DNA testing methods (scat, hair snare, etc.) for use in future long term monitoring of genetic connectivity | Unknown | |
| PRP-2 | Identify and collate data from various relevant camera trap studies (SDTT, UCD-WHC, USGS, Feral Pig Study, land managers) and evaluate how data could be integrated as part of a long term monitoring strategy for documenting mountain lion movement and distribution within the MSPA. | Unknown | |
| PRP-3 | Identify existing sources for lion mortality data, conduct outreach, and work to develop a system for collating and integrating lion mortality data from various sources into the MSP Database. | Unknown |
| Criteria | Deadline year |
|---|---|
| Monitoring plan for documenting mountain lion connectivity are developed and integrated with available track and camera data from other sources to identify the level of | 2021 |
| Threat Name | Threat Code |
|---|---|
| Human uses of the Preserves | HUMUSE |
| Loss of connectivity | LOSCON |
| Urban development | URBDEV |
Management units: 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10
In 2021, implement monitoring actions as identified in the Mountain lion monitoring plan.
| Action | Statement | Action status | Projects |
|---|---|---|---|
| IMP-1 | Submit project metadata, data, and reports to MSP web portal | Unknown |
| Criteria | Deadline year |
|---|---|
| Monitoring program for mountain lions implemented by 2021 | 2021 |
| Threat Name | Threat Code |
|---|---|
| Human uses of the Preserves | HUMUSE |
| Loss of connectivity | LOSCON |
| Urban development | URBDEV |