A wildlife photographer was left speechless after his trail camera picked up heartwarming footage of a young predator finding its way in California.
The Orange County Register reported that the trail camera was installed by Mark Girardeau, a local naturalist, photographer, and founder of Orange County Outdoors. The video shows a roughly 1-month-old kitten stumbling across a trail, squeaking for its mother, named Maple, who is later seen stalking the same path.
“I was freaking out — whose cub is that, where did it come from?” Girardeau said.
The mountain lion is one of the most widespread mammals in the world and goes by several names, depending on the locale. They’re also known as catamounts, cougars, panthers, and pumas. As the Wildlife Research Center points out, there’s no actual difference beyond the name. Although much of their historic range has been lost, they can still be found from western Canada to Chile. The last pocket east of the Rockies persists in Florida, but they’re critically endangered.
Whatever you wish to call them, mountain lions play a vital role in the ecosystem. According to a comprehensive study by Panthera, they interact with nearly 500 species. The so-called “nature’s brokers” sustain several species in the most nutrient-sparse regions in the Americas. They keep prey populations in check and leave plenty of leftovers for scavengers.
The footage demonstrates the importance of trail cameras in conservation efforts. Not only do the videos provide key information about the presence and needs of species, but they also help garner support for local action to protect them.
In this case, one of the most pressing issues is the threat the mountain lions face from vehicles. In Orange County, dozens of lions have been lost to collisions, about 40 since 2005, according to research from the University of California, Davis. The situation is even worse in Florida, where panthers are on the brink of extinction because of car accidents.
Wildlife crossings can go a long way to preventing accidents if they’re placed correctly and have adequate supporting infrastructure. Girardeau remains hopeful that the footage will raise awareness and increase support for the necessary measures.
“I wish more people would focus on the protection of animals that have always called this place home,” he said, per the Register.
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