Take a rare glimpse into the family and social bonds of mountain lions.
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With rare footage captured by motion-triggered cameras, this six-minute video reveals the remarkable social bonds of mountain lions and just how critical they are to their survival. The Secret Life of Mountain Lions reveals the difficulties these animals face in the wild--harsh winters, trophy hunters, and even predators--yet we lean how the bonds between a mother and her kittens provide hope and resilience for the future of these remarkable animals.
Produced by WildFutures and narrated by Chris Morgan (PBS, BBC, National Geographic), this video contains extraordinary footage captured with motion-triggered cameras from Panthera's Teton Cougar Project. The Secret Life of Mountain Lions was accepted into National Geographic’s Short Film Showcase in 2017. Read their interview with Sharon Negri, director of WildFutures and producer of the video. As of April 2018, The Secret Life of Mountain Lions has reached over one million viewers. |
About the Video
Deep in the Wyoming wilderness, a cougar named F61 gives birth to three spotted kittens. F61's kittens will depend on their mother for food and protection, and to teach them how to thrive as adults. But survival is no easy task for cougars inhabiting the northwest corner of the Wind River Range near Grand Teton National Park. Frigid winters, wolves, and trophy hunters pose serious threats to vulnerable young cougars, with fewer than 20 percent surviving long enough to leave their mother’s territory. Considerably fewer survive long enough to have a family of their own.
Born to be wild and social, F61's kittens play, groom, and rest as their mother keeps them in line—a nurturing parent affectionately tending to her young when they show fear or discomfort. But even vigilant F61 can't shield her kittens from the harsh realities of growing up in the wild. Or promise them safety when they're ready to search for a new home.
Born to be wild and social, F61's kittens play, groom, and rest as their mother keeps them in line—a nurturing parent affectionately tending to her young when they show fear or discomfort. But even vigilant F61 can't shield her kittens from the harsh realities of growing up in the wild. Or promise them safety when they're ready to search for a new home.
Film Credits
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Producer:
Narration: Video footage: Music: Video script: Editor: Website: |
Sharon Negri
Chris Morgan Mark Elbroch, Panthera (remote camera) & Jeff Hogan Brian Lawlored Mark Parlette, Chris Morgan, Melanie Anderson, Will Stolzenberg, Mark Elbroch, Paula MacKay, Jessica Abbe, Jennifer Snell Rullman, Cara Blessley Lowe Folk Hero Films Neva Welton |
Special thanks to the Summerlee Foundation who made this film possible. And to the Wilburforce Foundation for promotional assistance.
Mountain lions are majestic animals with a right to live. The unique footage of The Secret Life of Mountain Lions makes you look at these animals differently. Carnivores are the epitome of the wild. If we can learn to co-exist with them, there is hope for the future. |
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WildFutures, a project of Earth Island Institute
2150 Allston Way, Suite 460 Berkeley, CA 94704 wildfutures.us@gmail.com |
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