Amador County – Mountain lion sightings in Ione and Sutter Creek recently have led local authorities to warn people to be on the lookout. California Department of Fish & Game says 4,000 to 6,000 mountain lions could live in California, where more than half of the state is considered “prime mountain lion habitat.” Fish & Game’s website said mountain lions are not threatened nor endangered, but “are legally classified as specially protected species,” after passage of Proposition 117 in 1990, which made it illegal to hunt mountain lions in California. “This status and other statutes prohibit the Department of Fish and Game from recommending a hunting season for lions, and it is illegal to take, injure, possess, transport, import, or sell any mountain lion or part of a mountain lion.” Mountain lions may be killed only “if a depredation permit is issued to take a specific lion killing livestock or pets;” “to preserve public safety;” or to “protect listed bighorn sheep.” Fish & Game’s Public Safety Wildlife Guidelines say “an animal is deemed to be a public safety threat” if there is a “likelihood of human injury based on the totality of the circumstances.” Factors considered in the determination “include the lion’s behavior and its proximity to schools, playgrounds and other public gathering places.” The determination that “an animal is a public safety threat” is made by Fish & Game, or “local law enforcement.” If that determination is made, Fish & Game or police “will secure the area, then locate and kill the offending animal as soon as possible.” Fish & Game “does not relocate mountain lions that are a threat to public safety.” Mountain lions “can be found wherever deer are present, since deer are a mountain lion’s main food source. Foothills and mountains are the most suitable mountain lion habitat.” Fish & Game said “mountain lion attacks on humans are rare,” with only “16 verified mountain lion attacks on humans in California since 1890.” 6 of the attacks were fatal. The last documented attack in January, 2007, in Humboldt County. Fish & Game “receives hundreds of reported mountain lion sightings annually statewide, but fewer than 3 percent turn out to be verified public safety threats.” For example, in 2004, “there were 14 public safety mountain lions killed” in California. Fish & Game recommends reducing encounter risk by deer-proofing the landscape, to “avoid attracting a lion’s main food source.” Also, remove dense vegetation from around the home and install outdoor lighting to make it difficult for mountain lions to approach unseen. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Friday, 20 August 2010 06:16
Mountain Lions Protected, But So is California Public Safety
Amador County – Mountain lion sightings in Ione and Sutter Creek recently have led local authorities to warn people to be on the lookout. California Department of Fish & Game says 4,000 to 6,000 mountain lions could live in California, where more than half of the state is considered “prime mountain lion habitat.” Fish & Game’s website said mountain lions are not threatened nor endangered, but “are legally classified as specially protected species,” after passage of Proposition 117 in 1990, which made it illegal to hunt mountain lions in California. “This status and other statutes prohibit the Department of Fish and Game from recommending a hunting season for lions, and it is illegal to take, injure, possess, transport, import, or sell any mountain lion or part of a mountain lion.” Mountain lions may be killed only “if a depredation permit is issued to take a specific lion killing livestock or pets;” “to preserve public safety;” or to “protect listed bighorn sheep.” Fish & Game’s Public Safety Wildlife Guidelines say “an animal is deemed to be a public safety threat” if there is a “likelihood of human injury based on the totality of the circumstances.” Factors considered in the determination “include the lion’s behavior and its proximity to schools, playgrounds and other public gathering places.” The determination that “an animal is a public safety threat” is made by Fish & Game, or “local law enforcement.” If that determination is made, Fish & Game or police “will secure the area, then locate and kill the offending animal as soon as possible.” Fish & Game “does not relocate mountain lions that are a threat to public safety.” Mountain lions “can be found wherever deer are present, since deer are a mountain lion’s main food source. Foothills and mountains are the most suitable mountain lion habitat.” Fish & Game said “mountain lion attacks on humans are rare,” with only “16 verified mountain lion attacks on humans in California since 1890.” 6 of the attacks were fatal. The last documented attack in January, 2007, in Humboldt County. Fish & Game “receives hundreds of reported mountain lion sightings annually statewide, but fewer than 3 percent turn out to be verified public safety threats.” For example, in 2004, “there were 14 public safety mountain lions killed” in California. Fish & Game recommends reducing encounter risk by deer-proofing the landscape, to “avoid attracting a lion’s main food source.” Also, remove dense vegetation from around the home and install outdoor lighting to make it difficult for mountain lions to approach unseen. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Latest from
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