“Living with Mountain Lions” Lecture—October 23, 7 PM

Big cat expert Zara McDonald will speak on “Living with Mountain Lions” at Lindsay Wildlife Museum, Wednesday, October 23 at 7 PM. In her engaging, inspiring presentation she will talk about mountain lions and the work currently underway to study and protect them. Lindsay Wildlife Museum is sponsoring this event as part of its mission to educate people on how to respect and share the environment with wildlife. Mountain lions have been sighted in Contra Costa’s hills.

Cost of the evening event is $10 for Lindsay members, $15 for nonmembers. Register online or get more information at wildlife-museum.org or by calling 925-627-2913. Tickets can also be purchased at the door. The museum is located at 1931 First Ave., Walnut Creek, CA adjacent to Larkey Park. Parking is free.

A Bay Area native, McDonald is founder and Executive Director of Felidae Conservation Fund, whose local project, the Bay Area Puma Project, is the first large-scale research, education and conservation program for mountain lions in and around the San Francisco Bay Area. These keystone predators (also called pumas and cougars) play a critical role in maintaining the health and biodiversity of Bay Area ecosystems. However, expansion of human populations causes increasing encounters and conflicts between humans and pumas, and growing tensions in local communities. McDonald discusses mountain lion ecology and history, the challenges of sharing the habitat with mountain lions, and offers essential tips for living and recreating without fear in puma habitat.