The Solution

Currently, very few actions are being taken to protect the Eastern Puma. Only the Wildlife Rehabilitation Sanctuary has a program to reintroduce the Eastern Puma; most other organizations are just researching the puma.

We should save this animal because the Eastern Puma's main prey is the deer and all over the country deer are a problem on the roads due to mass overpopulation. If Eastern Puma numbers are increased, the pumas will hunt and eat the deer bringing the numbers of deer. This decrease in population of the deer will make the roads a lot safer; which will decrease the number of deaths from deer collisions and thousands of dollars in auto damage repairs. Another reason why we should save the Eastern Puma is, besides deer, it eats a lot of small rodents such as rabbits and raccoons. This would also decrease populations making these two species less of a problem for humans.

To save the Eastern Puma we would have to first put a ban on killing Eastern Pumas unless it is attacking. Second we would have to set up rehabilitation centers that have enough space to selectively breed Eastern Pumas and let the mothers naturally raise them without human interaction. The suggested space needed is 5 acres per mother puma. This is a very possible thing today in todays world. To ensure this conservation plan works all we would have to give up is at most at most 80 acres of land and there would be a slightly larger chance of an attack after the Pumas are released.

The Problem

The Eastern Puma population has dwindled away because of hunting, trapping, and habitat destruction. The Eastern Puma has become endangered because over the years they have been over hunted due to it's big game and trophy kill allure. Another reason why the Eastern Puma's population has decreased is its vicious and violent reputation of killing livestock and occasionally killing humans that wander into their territory. This has caused humans to trap and kill them to solve this problem. A more recently occurring factor in the decline of Eastern Puma numbers is habitat destruction. Human population has increased and is expanding; this is causing humans to move into and build in Eastern Puma territory. This development causes displacement of the puma which could lead to starvation and death.

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Eastern Puma A.K.A The Mountain Lion

• The Eastern Puma (Felis concolor couguar) large cat
  
• Listed as endangered in 1973 because of hunting and trapping, today another cause is habitat destruction.
  

The Eastern Puma, in the United States, is located in most of Eastern North America, and as far west as Iowa. The Puma on average weights 65-130 pounds, and grow to be 6 feet in length. They have an upward kink at the end of the tail and a cowlick in the middle of its back. Also the puma's coat is a red-brown or tan color.

The Eastern Puma is a solitary animal with the exception of mother pumas who stay with their cubs for two years. The puma usually needs up to 100 miles of home range. Puma cubs under the age of 6 months have pale fur with spots as well as rings around their tails. Puma cubs mature at the age of pumas known habitats include mountain forests, grasslands, swamps, and sea coasts. They can adapt to almost every climate as long is there is enough space and prey.

Eastern Pumas are mostly nocturnal and they are most active between one hour before sunset and two hours before sunrise. Their main prey is deer as well as beaver, porcupine, bobcat, rabbit, raccoon, opossum, and fish. They kill their prey using their speed, stealth, sharp claws, sharp teeth, and powerful jaws. They have no natural predetors making humans the number one cause in decline.