Mountain Lions Are Not a ‘Renewable Resource’

The California mountain lion ( Feliz concolor ) also known as the puma, cougar or panther is an integral part of our local ecosystem. It has witnessed the mysterious disappearance of many large mammals that roamed in the Pleistocene epoch and is the last remaining major predator in California.

From 1907 to 1963 about 12,400 have been killed by bounty hunters alone, in California. By 1971 the ruthless and excessive trophy hunting and exploitation of the puma has resulted in a dramatic decline in its population density, which necessitated a moratorium on trophy hunting in order to save the species.

Such a moratorium was enacted in 1972 with ample provisions for the protection of livestock, enabling ranchers to continue to destroy depredating lions. Unfortunately, the moratorium has expired as of Jan. 1, 1986, and the cougar is being reclassified to its former status as a “game mammal.”

This disconcerting action is due to the vigorous campaign by organizations such as the Houndsmen for Conservation, the California Wildlife Federation, the Gun Owners of California, the California Bowmen Hunters, State Varmint Caller’s Assn. and many other pro-hunting organizations who consider wildlife as a “renewable resource,” a commodity to be used.

The resumption of the bloody sport in which lions are being chased and traumatized by a noisy pack of hounds and treed when trying to elude the pursuers, then are subsequently shot, is repulsive to most civilized individuals.

Sen. Robert Presley (D-Riverside) introduced SB 76 two years ago. It would have extended the moratorium. Much effort was exerted for passage of this bill. It was passed by the Assembly and Senate and all the committees in the lengthy legislative process, but it died on the governor’s desk where it was vetoed. It was a devastating blow to all of us who worked hard and fought for the passage of SB 76.

The resumption of cougar hunting may very well make this secretive, majestic animal a candidate for the growing list of endangered species.

The fate of the big cat is now in the hands of the California Department of Fish and Game and it is disconcerting that just a few days after the moratorium expired the department announced a plan to kill all of the 90 lions in Fresno County because the hunters complained about the decline of deer populations, blaming the lions for not being able to meet their bag limits.

We pity the animals that come in conflict with man’s interests, when the human predator competes with the beasts for the same quarry. Needless to say that the creatures are invariably the losers, unable to cope with the mechanized paraphernalia in the unfair fight.

Fish and Game postponed the Fresno lion kill due to the overwhelming objections voiced by concerned individuals and organizations. But for how long? The department is supposed to be the steward of California wildlife but it is betraying this sacred trust.

We should bear in mind that the big cats go after the diseased and weak prey. In sharp contrast with the human predator, the hunter, who takes the large, appealing and healthy animals, leaving the old, sick and weak ones to reproduce, which creates a genetic degeneration of the species.

There is a conflict as to the population density of the California puma. According to an estimate by Fish and Game, 2,400 lions roamed in California prior to the 1972 ban on hunting; however, lion experts at the University of California at Berkeley insisted that the population has dwindled to a mere 1,000. We believe this latter figure to be more authentic than the inflated estimate of Fish and Game.

Let us not allow the California mountain lion to share the fate of the California condor, but allow this magnificent wild creature to continue to roam the California wilderness for future generations to enjoy his beauty.

LILA BROOKS

Hollywood

Brooks is director of California Wildlife Defenders.