The Art of Drugging Mountain Lions | Carnivore Biologist Dr. Kristin Engebretsen | Ep. 019

Mountain lions have many names: cougars, puma, panthers, and catamount. They roam the wildest corners of the backcountry—silent, powerful, and rarely seen. In this gripping episode, we venture into their world with Dr. Kristin Engebretsen, a wildlife biologist who’s tracked these elusive cats from Florida’s panther lands to the rugged West.

Kristin joined us in the studio to talk about:

  • The journey of a scientist turned mountain lion expert
  • The biology and adaptations behind their stealth and strength
  • The wild tales of collaring and studying these predators up close
  • How mountain lions share the landscape with us—and what that means for their future
  • Cougar kittens
  • Q&A with YOUR questions!

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Credits

  • Featuring Kristin Engebretsen
  • Produced by Andrew O’Neill with Hayden Sammak
  • Intro and Animations by Barry Thompson
  • Photograph Contributions for Animation by Carver Weeks
  • Additional Graphics by Andrew O’Neill 
  • Production Assistance by John Stock 
  • “Welcome to the Backcountry” theme song by Logan Roth, Will Brown, Arjun Dube and produced at Treacle Mine Studios, Phila, PA