Remembering Dr.Howard Quigley

Last week we were shocked and saddened to learn of the death of Dr. Howard Quigley. Howard served as as executive director of Craighead Beringia South from 2000 to 2012, and led Beringia’s Teton Cougar Project, the landmark 16 year study of Jackson Hole’s pumas. His work on pumas led to over 25 published scientific papers, book chapters, several graduate theses, and two wildlife documentaries.

Howard truly devoted his life to wildlife conservation and wildlife science. Today much of our knowledge of big cats, as well as their protected habitat, is largely due to Howard’s work.

From board member and former Teton Cougar Project biologist Marilyn Cuthill:

In Howard’s early work with black bears and subsequent work with large cats -- including pumas, jaguars and Siberian tigers, his curiosity seemed to uncover something deeper in these study animals: a view from behind their eyes. His extensive work helped shape our understanding of systems ecology and the vital importance of landscape connectivity and undisturbed corridors for the health of all wildlife. As principal investigator for the Teton Cougar Project, Howard devoted his research to a larger landscape, the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Focused on rigorous questions, he vigilantly contributed to what we know about how cougars, bears and wolves interact and utilize the landscape concurrently. An easily humored and deeply caring man, Howard had not only an unwavering commitment to cat conservation but also to the biologists under his tutelage. He has forever made an imprint on both.