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What WFA stands for...
Highest scientific & professional standards in research, management & conservation of wild felids;
Science-based management & conservation;
Communication & collaboration across scientific disciplines;
Increased public awareness on felid biology, ecology, conservation & education;
Professional growth of our members;
Access to resources, technologies & tools.
"The Wild Felid Research and Management Association provides a long overdue and valuable conduit for increased communication and cooperation among cat biologists in the Western Hemisphere."
Mel Sunquist, PhD, Professor Emeritus, University of Florida
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News & Events
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New!Cougars on the Cliff: one man's pioneering quest to understand the mythical mountain lion. A Memoir. Maurice Hornocker is recognized worldwide as the first scientist to unravel the secrets of America's most enigmatic predator - the mountain lion. This book recounts the early years of Maurice Hornocker's research (1964-1973) when he tracked lions following a dog's nose and footprints in the snow - before telemetry was available. The narrative is riveting and contrasts the challenges of early field research with today's methods using modern technology. Wild Carnivores of New Mexico. 2023. Jean-Luc E. Cartron & Jennifer K. Frey, editors. University of New Mexico Press, Albuquerque. 1100 pp Great Reads: Path of the Puma: The Remarkable Resilience of the Mountain Lion Jim Williams new book, Path of the Puma, was published in 2018, and tells the pumas remarkable tale from experience in the Rocky Mountains of North America to their southern most haunts in Patagonia. Yellowstone Cougar: Ecology before and during wolf restoration. 2019 A seminal study by Toni Ruth, Polly Buotte and Maurice Hornocker that examines the effects of wolf restoration on Yellowstone National Park's cougar population. Effects of Hunting on a Puma Population in Colorado. 2021 A ten-year experimental study by Colorado Parks and Wildlife researchers reveals the effects of hunting on a puma population and the implications to wildlife managers. View the PDF |
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The application deadline for the
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Election News
WFA’s bylaws have not been revised or updated since 2012. The Council is proposing some changes to WFA’s bylaws that will: 1) address some outdated language and statements that do not apply to WFA’s function (yellow highlights); 2) change the structure of the Council by reducing the number of members from 11 to 9 as well as allow for the election of Councilors that are responsible for leading (chairing) critical WFA committees (e.g., Scholarship, Grant; blue highlights). The organizational changes will result in a smaller, more efficient and engaged group that can act on policy and other agenda items in a timely fashion. The 2 positions that are proposed for elimination are Vice President, Latin America and 1 General Councilor. The Vice President, North America position would be changed to Vice President. Those that would like to see all of the proposed changes can view them here>
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JOIN the WFA to stay current, support our newsletter, and keep in touch with other wild felid professionals. Consider becoming a REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE, or if you are a graduate student, a STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE, so that you can help inform the membership about current research, management or conservation actions that affect wild felids. Or you may want to join one of our COMMITTEES. If you want to share something right away, go to our FORUM. Your DONATIONS to our grant and scholarship funds are a great way to support emerging biologists and further our knowledge to aid in wild cat conservation throughout the Western Hemisphere. |
Get Support
| If you are a current graduate student, please check out WFA's SCHOLARSHIP page for information on current opportunities. WFA also awards RESEARCH AND ACTION GRANTS when funds become available. WFA has provided $40,000 in grants to a number of worthy projects in the past 5 years. Additionally, WFA soon hopes to begin offering TRAVEL GRANTS to help support students and professionals attend important conferences and workshops. |  |
Education & Resources
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Keep informed by reading our newsletter, See our MANAGER'S CORNER to find out how agencies are managing and responding to conflicts with pumas. Our LINKS page provides a list of organizations involved with wild felid research, management, education and conservation activities. |
America's Cats
| Learn about the 12 wild cat species of the Western Hemisphere | .jpg) |