Photo by Deb Ayers
On November 18, 2026, the SaddleBrooke Hiking Club welcomes David Dean, a Coronado National Forest volunteer and animal expert, as their speaker. David will address mountain lions in the Santa Catalina Mountains. The program will be held at the SaddleBrooke One Activity Center at 4 p.m.
Mountain lions are found at all elevations in the Santa Catalina Mountains on our veritable doorstep. As apex predators, mountain lions play a key role in maintaining the ecological health of the range. How they perform that role, as well as other aspects of their interesting biology, will be discussed. This information is of use to those who hike in the Catalinas and all SaddleBrooke residents.
Photo by David Dean’s Trail Cams
David Dean is a retired veterinarian and professor of medical physiology. He has nearly 10,000 volunteer hours with the Santa Catalina Ranger District of Coronado National Forest. David teaches a course entitled, “Mammals of the Santa Catalina Mountains” for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Arizona and gives presentations on topics relating to the animals and ecology of the Santa Catalina Mountains.