Family Member Calling For Harsher Mountain Lion Response After Incident With Nephews
The tragic mountain lion attack in the Sierra that left one dead and his brother seriously injured another has prompted a family member to seek more drastic action for problem animals.
Here’s CBS 13 in Sacramento with more (see above video as well):
Since the attack, Brooks said he has been extensively researching mountain lions and action that can be taken, specifically regarding Proposition 117.
It passed in 1990 and “establishes that the mountain lion is a specially protected mammal under the laws of this state, and makes it unlawful to take, injure, possess, transport, import, or sell a mountain lion or a product of a mountain lion.”
Brooks said the problem is that the California Department of Fish and Wildlife put a three-strike policy in place in 2017.
“A stakeholder, land owner, livestock owner basically has to demonstrate that the same lion has come on a predatory basis to the property three separate times before they will issue a lethal depredation permit,” Brooks said.
Here’s the California Department of Fish and Wildlife on the regulations regarding mountain lions:
Introduction
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is tasked with ensuring viable mountain lion (Puma concolor) populations persist throughout the state where suitable habitat and other environmental conditions allow. Mountain lions are classified as a ‘specially protected’ species in California following the passage of the The California Wildlife Protection Act of 1990 (Proposition 117).
Statewide mountain lion population estimates are considered stable based on the best scientific knowledge, research, and methods available. CDFW is currently finalizing a statewide population abundance and density estimate for mountain lions using information gained from rigorous statistical analyses using non-invasive scat survey and satellite-collar data. Estimating population densities an elusive species in a state as geographically large and diverse as California is a complex task. Historic studies over the last 40 years have estimated population densities for different habitat types throughout California.
Increased sightings and reports of mountain lions are likely due to the increased presence of home security cameras (e.g., ring doorbells), social media, and personal trail cameras often used for hunting, wildlife photography and leisure purposes.
Summary
In California, mountain lions are a specially protected non-game species; following the passage of the California Wildlife Protection Act of 1990 (Proposition 117). Mountain lions have not been hunted in California since 1972. The Department strives to conserve mountain lion populations for their ecological and intrinsic values. We have been studying mountain lion populations in the state for more than 40 years and formally established the mountain lion conservation program in 2015 to coordinate statewide mountain lion research and population monitoring, conflict mitigation, and to inform habitat conservation and protection.
