Ringtail (Bassariscus astutus) are nocturnal, reclusive procyonids ranging throughout most of southwestern North America. They were given fully protected status in California in 1968 following declines primarily associated with fur hunting. Little is still known about the natural history of this species resulting in poorly informed management strategies. Ringtail are highly susceptible to road mortality. Several road-strike hotspots have been identified in San Diego County where normal movement patterns are impeded by vehicle traffic. To better understand impacts of roads on ringtail health, behavioral ecology and space-use patterns, the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Natural History Museum are collecting movement data from ringtails at two chaparral dominated sites, one next to a major highway and one over five miles from a highway as a control. We are recording GPS and accelerometer data from individuals to determine how roads may be affecting ringtail movement ecology at these two sites. We are also conducting full health screens on each individual during each capture. These new data will allow us to recommend mitigation measures to reduce human impacts and promote recovery of one of the most understudied mammals in southern California.

Jean-Pierre (J.P.) Montagne serves San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance as a Research Coordinator in Recovery Ecology. He has been part of the SDZWA’s conservation-focused research projects since 1995, when he started as a volunteer studying white rhino behavior at the Safari Park after graduating from the University of California, San Diego. Since then, he’s worked with horned lizards, small mammals, now ringtails, and many other local species. J.P. earned his master’s degree in biology from San Diego State University studying personality in translocated ground squirrels. J.P.'s interests include applying current animal behavior theory to improving methods used in conservation management.