Changes to California Mountain Lion Policy Saving Lives

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife reported Wednesday a significant reduction in mountain lions killed as a result of new policy implemented in February. 

The new policy allows for more non-lethal options when there is an interaction between a mountain lion and humans.

“Last year, I directed the department’s leadership team to evaluate our guidelines on how we respond to interactions with mountain lions and bears to determine how we can do better,” said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham. “I’m pleased that we have struck the balance and are witnessing fewer mountain lions killed without sacrificing any wildlife officer’s authority to make the correct public safety call for each situation.” 

The previous policy evaluation was fast tracked after two notable lethal mountain lion interactions took place at the end of 2012 in Half Moon Bay and Rescue. A mountain lion was also killed in Santa Monica in May 2012 when it was deemed a threat to public safety.

According to the CDFW, equipment was ordered for field staff to better handle the non-lethal means of handling human wildlife conflict calls. Instead of killing wildlife, staff are hazing animals into more remote areas, or using darts and relocating them.

In one incident in January, a lion in Santa Barbara was relocated to the Los Padres National Forest. 

“Sometimes you can find a mountain lion or bear in an unusual location otherwise behaving normally,” said CDFW Law Enforcement Chief Mike Carion. “It isn’t always a threat to public safety. Every situation is unique. We are pleased that this policy allows us to evaluate each situation carefully and to choose a solution which allows a co-existence between humans and wildlife while allowing discretion to act when there is a public safety issue.”

For more information about the new policy, visit http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/lion/.