3881 - American Predators: Wolves, Coywolves, Cougars and Jaguars (John McDonald)
Course Description
Instructor: John McDonald
Learn about the evolution of wolves, coywolves, cougars and jaguars, their history, their similarities and differences. Wolves are the only species of Canis that have a range encompassing the old and new worlds as an apex predator. Coywolves, a hybrid continue to expand their territory from Canada down through Virginia. Cougars, ranging from the Canadian Yukon to the Andes of South America are the most widespread of a terrestrial mammal in the western hemisphere. Jaguars are the only members of the Panthera genus (lions, tigers and leopards) in the Americas: unfortunately they have become extinct in the U.S. These animals play a key role in keeping an ecosystem healthy. The extermination of wolves and cougars east of the Mississippi resulted in the preponderance of coyotes in that geography. We will examine the human vs. animal conflicts along with the vilification and political influences which have resulted in the total or near extinction of these animals in United States.
Bio: John has had a lifelong interest in African Wildlife. After graduating from college he spent time with Dave Hoover, the lion and tiger trainer at the Cylde Beatty and Cole Bros. Circus where also observed the routine and training of the performing elephants. He corresponded with George Adamson of "Born Free" fame and was offered the opportunity to conduct research on Adamson's lions in Kenya.
After he retired from IBM he made multiple trips over a three year period working with wild cheetahs at the Cheetah Conservation Fund's facility in Namibia as well as studying lions and elephants at Etosha National Park. He also spent 2 years working with and lecturing on wolves and coyotes at the Adirondack Wildlife Refuge outside of Lake Placid New York. More recently he spent 5 months lecturing on the Florida Panther and Black Bears at the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary in Jupiter Florida. For the past 14 years he has continued to lecture on large predators and elephants as part of a program sponsored by St. Lawrence University, Clarkson University and SUNY Potsdam.