If the visit from the Magnolia cougar earlier this month left you wanting more information about these amazing cats, check out the Discovery Park Environmental Learning Center lecture on Thursday (9/17) from 7pm to 8:30pm.  

Wildlife scientist Brian Kertson was part of the team that worked with the Magnolia cougar and he is currently tracking the cougar after it was released in Snohomish County.  On the day of the capture, he explained how the cougar will send him text messages with his location.  Kertson’s current research uses Global Positioning System (GPS) radio collars to examine the potential influences of cougar demographic characteristics and landscape features on cougar-human interaction. 

On Thursday, Kertson will talk about cougar ecology and behavior in Western Washington.  He will share research findings and exciting stories from his first-hand experience working with cougars. The talk will be combined with hands-on opportunities to touch cougar pelts, and view skulls and tracks of the elusive cats.

Kertson is a wildlife scientist and Ph.D. candidate with the Washington Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit and University of Washington. He has 10 years of experience conducting intensive, field-based research on cougar ecology and behavior.