Cameras hidden around America’s old nuclear test site took 393 pictures of mountain lions in one year, and at least four cats now call the restricted desert home

Mountain lions have made an old federal nuclear test site their new refuge.

Across the United States, several federal restricted zones have played varying roles over the years.

In general, public access and hunting are banned from these heavily guarded government areas.

But long before these sun-drenched expanses hosted thousands of solar panels and wind turbines, they also served a different purpose.

This has transformed these remote lands into accidental ecological preserves.

This raises the question: Why are native wildlife seeking shelter at historic testing sites, and what are the risks?

How American deserts have served as federal testing sites

In the United States, four major desert systems exist, namely the Mojave, Chihuahuan, Sonoran, and Great Basin.

In recent years, these regions have become covered with large-scale renewable energy infrastructure.

But long before these sun-drenched expanses hosted thousands of solar panels and wind turbines, they also served a different purpose.

The Nevada National Security Site, spanning the Mojave and Great Basin Deserts, exemplifies this.

The site itself covers roughly 1,350 square miles of remote terrain.

In 1950, the location was established as a continental testing ground.

Over four decades, 928 nuclear tests were conducted.

These tests consisted of 100 atmospheric explosions and 828 underground experiments.

The primary reason behind the facility’s existence was the Cold War Arms Race.

The location’s remoteness was essential to keeping classified military operations out of the public eye.

Today, the site still runs national security programs, but large regions of the desert remain off-limits to the public.

Restricted access in modern-day operations

Nuclear research has changed significantly since the Cold War.

Today, the energy source is targeted for non-proliferation, medical applications, and most importantly, clean power generation.

Nuclear energy generates almost 20% of the U.S.’s electricity.

It also makes up more than 40% of the nation’s carbon-free power.

Despite devastating historic disasters like Chernobyl, the source is rising in popularity once again.

That is why old federal testing sites now play different roles.

The Nevada National Security Site has become an active laboratory for high-hazard experimentation and nuclear reliability management.

However, subcritical experiments, emergency response training, and chemical high-explosive testing are also still conducted.

Nuclear waste is a major problem in the world. Fortunately, this site has also become a secure disposal center for low-level radioactive refuse.

These operations require strict oversight, which is why public access and hunting are banned.

Consequently, this restricted access has created ideal conditions for local wildlife.

From an old nuclear test site to a wildlife sanctuary

Native wildlife frequently occupies nuclear infrastructure, necessitating careful monitoring.

In the case of the Nevada National Security Site, it became an accidental sanctuary due to its massive, undisturbed landscapes.

Despite its past and present operations, it features pristine desert habitats and thriving native wildlife populations.

Animals such as desert bighorn sheep, mule deer, and mountain lions have become regulars in the territory.

The United States Geological Survey initiated a research program to understand how the apex predators survive.

Tracking the movement and well-being of mountain lions

Helicopters and standard lion-tracking methods were used to track the animals.

Field researchers safely caught individual predators to check their overall health.

Biometric data was also recorded, and the mountain lions were fitted with advanced GPS collars for long-term surveillance.

Since hunting is prohibited, the mountain lions have access to the local prey base.

During the winter and spring, they hunt desert bighorn sheep.

In summer and fall, the mule deer fall prey.

These findings indicate that high-security federal testing sites can unintentionally become crucial ecological safe havens.

This paves a clear path forward for the Nevada National Security Site and other similar federal zones.

Agencies need to partner with scientific organizations like the USGS to expand wildlife monitoring.

Ultimately, combining ecological management with national nuclear sites is key to biodiversity conservation.