Stephanie Tucker has joined the staff of the North Dakota Game and Fish Department as its new furbearer biologist.

A native of Glen Ullin, she received an associate's degree in biology from Bismarck State College before earning a bachelor of science degree in zoology from North Dakota State University.

Tucker earned her master's degree in ecology and evolutionary biology from Iowa State University, where her course work and field work included studying bobcats.

Prior to accepting the job in North Dakota, she worked for one and a half years for South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks as an upland game biologist.

As a furbearer biologist, one of Tucker's primary responsibilities will be studying the state's mountain lion population.

Currently, Tucker said there is one lion in the Badlands fitted with a radio collar. With data collected from that animal, Tucker said the goal is to establish baseline information such as an estimate of the total population in the state and their feeding habits.

North Dakota's fifth mountain lion season recently opened. During last year's season, all lions killed in the state were taken in the Badlands unit.

Tucker said in particular, the department wants to determine if the mountain lions are having any impact on the bighorn sheep population in the Badlands.

- Brian Gehring