Bandelier National Monument’s wildlife camera spotted these baby mountain lions recently as part of the park’s ongoing efforts to investigate the responses of large mammals to forest restoration treatments and wildfire; in collaboration with NMSU Fish Wildlife and Conservation Ecology, Valles Caldera National Preserve and New Mexico cooperative fish and wildlife research unit. To identify the resources that female mountain lions need to successfully raise young, a small group of park resource staff and NMSU researchers visited some recent birth sites, also known as den sites or nurseries. Each baby mountain lion was radio collared and checked for general health and condition. These collars will expand as the babies grow and allow researchers to monitor their development. This research will help to better understand where females give birth and what threats and challenges young mountain lions face growing up. Courtesy/BNM