Necropsy Reveals No Hints to Mountain Lion’s Behavior

The remains of a female mountain lion fatally shot in Valencia by Fish and Game wardens last week have yielded few clues to the animal’s behavior on the day it died, officials said Wednesday.

Officials had hoped that a necropsy on the mountain lion--killed Feb. 25 after it was found in a backyard--might reveal if hunger led the animal to the neighborhood or if it was confused because of sickness.

But a biologist found no evidence of any disease in the animal’s body and hunger was ruled out when the half-digested bodies of two small animals were found in its stomach, said agency spokesman Patrick Moore.

According to the biologist, one of the animals appeared to be a dog, Moore said.

One reason wardens decided to shoot the mountain lion instead of tranquilizing it was because of the animal’s apparent lack of fear of humans, officials have said.

“We don’t know why it acted like it did,” Moore said.

“It was a healthy young female mountain lion and sometimes they just lose their fear of humans. It happens occasionally and when it does it really concerns us.”

Fish and Game officials said they received complaints from people who were outraged by the shooting and questioned why wardens apparently did not attempt to tranquilize the animal.

“What happens if the cat bolts and runs and somebody gets injured?” Moore responded.

The priority in such instances is to protect human life, he said.