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<br />Located in this general area. Based on bear habitation in other <br />parts'of northwestern Colorado the bears would be expected to <br />remain in the brushy or forested vegetation types. <br />Cougar. The only cougars known to inhabit the area are <br />found along Middle Creek northwest of our lease area. Estimates <br />indicate two-four animals. No reports of lion predation have <br />been reported to Colorado DOW in recent years, so it is assumed <br />that cougar predation is not a serious problem to livestock <br />operators. Both bear and cougars tend to avoid areas of con- <br />centrated human activity. <br />Small game mammals: <br />Lagomorphs. Data are presently not available to indicate <br />population densities or habitat conditions for species of this <br />• group of mammals. Rabbit population densities have been very <br />low over all of northwestern Colorado for the past few years, <br />as reported by local hide and fur dealers; preliminary studies <br />indicate that this is true in our lease area. <br />Forbearers. Several species of forbearers have been <br />identified within the subject area; however no population, <br />harvest, or habitat data are presently available. Previous <br />observations since May, 1977, show from five to seven beaver <br />inhabit our lease area. <br />Mammalian predators. Cougar is listed as both predator <br />and big game species. Other predator species that are found <br />within this site are coyote (Canis latrans), bobcat (Lynx rufus), <br />and red fox (Vulpes fulva). No specific data are available <br />describing habitat or population parameters for these three <br />species. Fox and coyote population trends are reported rising. <br />Bobcat population trends in northwestern Colorado are generally <br />stable to slightly declining. <br /> <br />-~9 <br />