Oregon Field Guide — Mountain Lions, Fur Trapping, Peregrine Falcons

Episode 213

Mountain Lions: Once considering the cougar a dangerous varmint, human kind now appears to be willing to reach an accommodation with the fierce carnivore. But before an understanding can be reached, Biologists must learn as much as they can about the mountain lion. Head into the snow-covered mountains as researchers track down cougars with deceptive ease using radio collars, and watch as they tranquillize a mother and her cub in order to study their behavior.; Read More and Watch this story

Fur Trapping: Trappers in Oregon catch coyotes, fox, bobcat, muskrat, beaver and other animals and sell their pelts. Animal rights activists deplore trapping which they say is cruel. But the state relies on trappers to keep populations in check.; Read More and Watch this story

Peregrine Falcons: Almost disappearing entirely from the state, Peregrine Falcons are struggling to make a comeback in Oregon. The use of a chemical for bug control in the 40's and 50's called DDT, caused an unintended decimation of the Peregrine population. Falcons who ate the bugs began laying eggs with soft shells that never hatched. Biologists since have been breeding the birds and releasing the chicks into the wild. Will their efforts make a difference?; Read More and Watch this story