Sweeping Mountain Lion Protection Law Signed in California
OutdoorHub Reporters 09.09.13
California Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill last week that would lend further protection to the state’s mountain lions. According to the San Mateo County Times, the legislation would prevent wildlife officials from shooting mountain lions unless they posed an imminent threat to the public. It was a bill that had been heavily lobbied for by animal rights organizations, including the Mountain Lion Foundation. California is uniquely suited to the big cats, with roughly half of the state considered to be prime habitat for mountain lions. However, experts believe less than 5,000 of the animals exist in the state and cougars are classified as a “specially protected species.” Legislation passed in 1990 banned almost all killings of mountain lions in California.
Normally, only wardens from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife could legally kill a mountain lion, and only if the creature presented a danger to humans. These cases are few and far between, but sometimes residential neighborhoods report cougar sightings and officers are called in to respond. Recently, a shooting in Half Moon Bay of two cubs triggered widespread criticism of the department’s methods. The newly signed legislation now requires wardens to capture or attempt to scare off mountain lions before using lethal methods.
“This is landmark legislation, first of its kind,” said Tim Dunbar, director of the Mountain Lion foundation. “It’s hard to believe that something like the incident in Half Moon Bay has led to this. It’s a great day here.”
Other residents, especially those living in mountain lion territory, are not as pleased. While attacks on humans are rare, mountain lions are large predators more than capable of taking down adult deer. Adult males can reach more than eight feet long and can kill prey with a single bite to the neck. Mountain lions have also been known to feed on bighorn sheep and their domesticated cousins, along with other mammals. The National Park Service advises hunters, hikers, or others who run into a mountain lion to follow these steps:
- Do not run.
- Shout in a low voice and wave your arms or hold open your coat to look large and threatening.
- Maintain eye contact and do not crouch down.
- Throw sticks or rocks.
- If an attack occurs, fight back.
