Saving the Cougar From Civilization

Can we talk about the cougar? If for the safety of our children it was necessary to remove this beautiful animal, why aren’t those in authority equipped with the proper amounts of tranquilizers and the nets to capture it safely without harming it or endangering humans?

Why does killing always seem the best solution? Our taxes are paying for this kind of protection, so why can’t we use more efficient equipment and employ people who are really skilled and knowledgeable in the known ways of humanely handling situations such as this?

And it isn’t over yet. Sadly, we are usurping the territory of all the chaparral animals with our development. They have no place to go. Let us at least use a civilized and compassionate approach if it is inevitable that someday there will be no more cougars in the Yorba Linda area. Meanwhile, we should give our children something to talk about at school other than a traumatic killing.

With this recent incident, we had an opportunity to set an example to young people, a chance to teach them the importance of all living things on their planet and help them grow into caring, environmentally responsible adults. And yes, bless both the beasts and the children.

BETH BARTON

Yorba Linda