Bay Area Puma Project (BAPP)
The Bay Area Puma Project (BAPP) is the first major study of mountain lions in the San Francisco Bay Area. It was launched in mid-2008 in the Santa Cruz Mountains. This research is bringing to light critical information about the region's top predator, so that key conservation objectives can be initiated to preserve this essential member of the ecological web in the Bay Area. Several cats have been fitted with innovative GPS-accelerometer collars to provide new insight into puma biology and behavior.
To leverage this knowledge into action and drive change extensive outreach and education programs are being developed to engage the interest and support of the broader public.
BAPP is a partnership between ecology researchers at UC Santa Cruz and wild cat conservationists from Felidae Conservation Fund, with coordination and logistical support by California Department of Fish and Game.
The field work in Santa Cruz is the first phase of a projected 10 year research and conservation effort to study and protect the Bay Area puma population. 
Download the FACT SHEET for more information.
Visit BAPP's NEW interactive community at WWW.BAPP.ORG.
Meet the BAPP Study Cats
Below are the Bay Area Puma Project study cats currently fitted with GPS tracking collars. For more photos of the study cats, visit the gallery.
Etta - 1F
Etta was the first BAPP study cat fitted with a GPS tracking collar in September 2008.
Pilar - 2F
Pilar was fitted with a GPS tracking collar in early October 2008.
Tony - 3M
Tony was the first male puma fitted with a GPS tracking collar in mid-October 2008.
Casper - 4M
Casper was fitted with a GPS tracking collar in November 2008.
Moussavi - 5M
Moussavi was fitted with a GPS tracking collar in late April 2009.
Obama - 6M
Obama was fitted with a GPS tracking collar in May 2009.
Zara - 7F
Zara was fitted with a GPS tracking collar in late May 2009.
First Kitten Den - Zeke, Zen, and Scarlett - 8M, 9M, 10F
These three kittens were fitted with expandable VHF tracking collars in early June 2009.
Mimi - 11F
Mimi was fitted with a GPS tracking collar in October 2009.
Peligro - 12F
Peligro (Spanish for "in Peril") was fitted with a GPS tracking collar in October 2009.
Half-Tail - 13F
Half-Tail was fitted with a GPS-Accelerometer tracking collar in January 2010.
Zarita - 14F
This 4-week old female kitten was fitted with an expandable VHF tracking collar on March 18, 2010. She is the kitten of 7F, a female puma named Zara.
Shanti - 15F
This young 68-lb female puma was fitted with a GPS/Accelerometer tracking collar in Spring 2010.
Atlas - 16M
This healthy 138-lb male puma was fitted with a GPS/Accelerometer tracking collar in Spring of 2010.
Painter - 17M
This healthy male puma was fitted with a GPS/Accelerometer tracking collar in Summer of 2010.
Opal - 18F
This healthy female puma was fitted with a GPS/Accelerometer tracking collar in Winter of 2010.
Klandagi - 19F
This healthy female puma was fitted with a GPS/Accelerometer tracking collar in Winter of 2010.
Katalgar - 21M
This healthy 2-year old male puma was fitted with a GPS/Accelerometer tracking collar in February of 2011.
Bender - 22M
This healthy 6-year old, 141-lb male puma was fitted with a GPS/Accelerometer tracking collar in May of 2011.
Esperanza - 24F
This healthy 8-year old, 83-lb female puma was fitted with a GPS/Accelerometer tracking collar in May of 2011. Her name means 'Hope'.
25F
This healthy 2.5-year old, 87-lb female puma was fitted with a GPS/Accelerometer tracking collar in November of 2011.
27M
This healthy 2.5 to 3-year old, 112-lb male puma was fitted with a GPS/Accelerometer tracking collar in November of 2011.
28F - Nala
This healthy 3 to 4-year old, 80-lb female puma was fitted with a GPS/Accelerometer tracking collar in November of 2011.
Stay tuned for more information on and photos for 20F, 23F, and 26M! Also stay tuned for information on the newest mountain lions added to the study!
