Shooting of Mountain Lion

* Re “U.S. Trackers Kill Cougar suspected in Cyclist attack,” March 26:

What?! . . . another wild animal shooting? Why can’t those responsible capture and relocate these animals? It’s not the fault of the animal that people encroach on their areas, but yet the animal has to pay with its life. We should have more respect for our wildlife.

MARIE SANSONE

Los Angeles

* Why is it that a cougar, who was following its natural hunting instincts, and who had the unmitigated temerity to challenge a human being trespassing into her territory, was matter-of-factly baited, trapped and slaughtered, while every day cold-blooded, sociopathic and arguably insane humans are allowed to kill other humans, many of whom are innocent victims, and society does nothing. I don’t get it.

To me, the life of that now-slaughtered cougar had more sanctity, honesty, and beauty than any of these blood-lusting humans. That cougar could have easily been trapped and relocated into a more remote area.

LAURRA MADDOCK

Laguna Niguel

* State senate bill SB 28 is desperately needed to restore sanity to the management of mountain lion populations. It is critical not only for hikers and foothill dwellers but for the future of the mountain lion itself. Since the hunting ban put in place by Proposition 117, attacks on pets, livestock and now people have exploded.

The recent spate of mountain lion attacks has some biologists “perplexed.” The killings were at first blamed on habitat intrusion. But it quickly became evident that even mountain lions in undisturbed habitats have become aggressive. A friend of mine spent 10 minutes fending off a mountain lion attack in the middle of an untouched wilderness in Northern California. The mountain lion was after his young son. The next theory was that the killings were the work of rabid or injured animals, desperate and starving. But when the attacking animals were tracked and killed they were found to be healthy and strong.

Mountain lions have always lived alongside man and attacks have been rare despite habitat intrusion. In fact, a greater amount of habitat loss occurred during the building booms of the ‘60s and ‘70s. What has changed? One thing only: The mountain lions do not fear us. The hunting ban has been in place now for a couple of generations of mountain lions. At first it meant hunting pets around foothill homes. Now they have turned to bigger (and slower) game.

I consider myself an environmentalist. I believe in habitat preservation and protecting endangered species. Mountain lions are not endangered. I believe mountain lions need a certain amount of hunting. In states where hunting is allowed, mountain lion attacks are rare or unknown (and mountain lion numbers have been kept at healthy levels). The mountain lions need to learn to fear man again, fear our scent as they used to. They are smart and quick to learn. This hunting is not just for our benefit, but for theirs as well; if people become afraid to enjoy parks and wilderness they will be unconcerned or even relieved about its loss.

FRANK ATWILL

Montecito