The California Fish and Game Commission on Feb. 12 unanimously voted to list a distinct population segment of mountain lions as a threatened species under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA).
The protections are granted to Southern California and Central Coast mountain lions. The California Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) is against the decision.
“CCA has strongly opposed additional protections for Central Coast and Southern California mountain lions since 2019, when the Center for Biological Diversity and the Mountain Lion Foundation petitioned to list them under CESA,” the association said in its weekly e-newsletter.
While the group is disappointed by the listing, it said it is unclear whether the listing will impact ranchers’ abilities to obtain depredation take permits, as Proposition 117 requires the Department of Fish and Wildlife to issue take permits for mountain lions that stalk, injure or kill livestock or pets. However, CCA noted that the department’s issuance of permits under a “three strike” policy makes it difficult, if not impossible, for ranchers to lethally remove mountain lions.
