On January 26, 2020, the mountain lion known as P-56 was killed legally by a rancher who obtained a depredation permit from California Fish and Wildlife.
Photo from National Park Service, when they first collared P-56 in 2017.
May 1, 2020 Update - Read CLAW’s letter to LA City Department of Planning to see what impacts mountain lion protection has on our city’s planning process.
Our local mountain lions face many threats — why are they still being killed legally?
In 1990, California voters approved Proposition 117, giving special status to the state’s mountain lions, and prohibiting the sport hunting of these elusive big cats. One loophole, however, provided for the legal killing of animals who were seen as a risk to pets or livestock. By filing for a depredation permit, an animal owner could claim that a mountain lion has attacked his livestock, and be granted the right to pursue and kill the mountain lion.
Over the last 30 years, thousands of mountain lions have been killed legally under a depredation permit. Early in 2020, the mountain lion known as P-56 became the first mountain lion of the Santa Monica Mountains to be legally killed under this process. He was one of only two breeding males that had been collared by the National Park Service in the area. With so many non-lethal options available to livestock owners, the death of P-56 never should have been approved. The time has come to end depredation permits in Southern California.
How California Residents Can Help
The Center for Biological Diversity and Mountain Lion Foundation have sponsored a petition requesting California Fish and Wildlife to place regional populations of mountain lions under the protection of the California Endangered Species Act. CLAW is a part of the coalition effort to grant this protection (You can read the coalition’s sign-on letter here).
In February 2020, CLAW submitted a letter of support for listing Southern and Central Coast California Mountain Lions as “Threatened” under the California Endangered Species Act. Our letter can be read here.
“P-56 survived fires, poisoned food, fragmentation, cars, and other territorial males only to only be shot legally for being deemed a threat to livestock. This practice is as shameful as it is avoidable, and future atrocities like this will be averted with your vote.”
CLAW will also comment at the petition hearing on April 15-16, 2020. This will be a teleconference meeting and your attendance and comments are welcome! You may also email the California Fish and Game Commission and ask them to support listing the Southern and Central Coast California Mountain Lion as a threatened species. Update: In a 5-0 vote, the Commission accepted the petition as warranted on April 16!
In response to the killing of P-56, a group of California legislators (State Senators Stern and Allen, Assemblymembers Bloom and Friedman) wrote to the director of California Fish and Wildlife and asked them to take every step possible to prevent further mountain lion deaths (you can read their letter here). The director responded by announcing a policy shift, requiring that all depredation permits be reviewed and signed off by the executive office.
CLAW has sent a letter of appreciation for these efforts to the director, asking him the to take the further step of ending the issuance of lethal depredation permits within Southern and Central California.
“California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s executive leadership should halt the issuing of lethal permits altogether within California’s critical regions.”
Join us in our effort! Contact the Director of California Fish and Wildlife and ask him to end lethal depredation permits in Southern and Central Coast California.
How You Can Help Locally
February 11, 2020 - Los Angeles City Councilmembers Koretz, Ryu, and Blumenfield have introduced a resolution urging the state to end the issuance of depredation permits for mountain lions. LA residents: please join us in solidarity with support for this motion, encouraging all 15 city councilmembers and the mayor to support this resolution.
February 23, 2020 - Ventura County Supervisor Parks introduced a similar resolution, supporting the end of depredation permit issuance in Ventura County. Update: Resolution passed on February 25!
Do you live in a region that you think should pass a resolution as well? Contact us!
Other Ways CLAW is Protecting Our Local Mountain Lions
Protecting connective habitat in Los Angeles is key to the survival of Southern California mountain lions. Check out our wildlife corridor page to see how we are ensuring cougars will be able to roam the hills of LA forever.
Out of 24 mountain lions tested in the Santa Monica Mountains, 23 tested positive for exposure to rodenticide. See how CLAW is working to prevent mountain lion deaths from secondary poisoning.
CLAW’s nature cam has caught an uncollared male multiple times in the eastern Santa Monica Mountains. These pictures allow us to inform local policy makers about the magnificent wildlife in our area, and help to educate the public about their wild neighbors.
On March 10th, 2020, CLAW Chair Tony Tucci joined LA City Councilmember Paul Koretz on Spectrum News In Focus to discuss the demise of mountain lion P-56, the movement to ban permits issued by CA Fish and Wildlife to kill depredating mountain lions, and the need to prioritize protections of their dwindling populations. You can watch the segment here.
On May 1st, 2020, CLAW submitted a letter to LA City Department of Planning regarding the implications of CESA protection for mountain lions as it relates to development in our city. You can read the letter here.
Thank you for being a voice for the animals!