Our collaboration with University of California Davis’ Wildlife Health Center (WHC) was our earliest undertaking on behalf of wild cats. Felidae has also strategized with WHC and the California Department of Fish and Game on drafting a statewide puma plan.

We worked closely with WHC’s executive director Walter Boyce, providing funds and other support for his studies in the San Diego area. WHC partners with the Anza Borrego Institute in southern California to restore healthy wildlife populations. Other partners included The Nature Conservancy and State Parks. Undergraduates, graduate students, and postgraduate students engaged in field work, studying puma habitat and behavior.

Dr. Boyce’s satellite radio-collaring projects provide critical data about puma movements, highlighting trouble spots for these increasingly threatened animals. Maps serve as a compelling visual representation of the difficulties pumas face as they strive to travel through their natural range, often restricted by human development. Such data helps researchers determine ways to assist in safe passage, such as building freeway underpasses or overpasses.

In addition to supporting vital research, Felidae engages in community outreach that promotes more humane methods of managing puma-human encounters.