"More than 1,400 California mountain lions are now protected by the state's Endangered Species Act. On Thursday, the California Fish and Game Commission unanimously voted to list six isolated puma populations in Southern California and the Central Coast as threatened under the state law, meaning they're likely to become endangered in the absence of intervention. During the public meeting, Commissioner Erika Zavaleta said it's good that the lions aren't facing imminent extinction, explaining, "I believe it's better for us to take action before we get to that point.""
"Scientists and conservationists believe the action was needed to give the iconic animals a chance at survival. Hemmed in by freeways and housing, cougar clans in the Santa Monica and Santa Ana mountains - both included in the listing - have a 16% to 28% chance of extinction in 50 years if they aren't able to reach lions to mate with in other areas, providing genetic diversity."
"However, opponents including ranchers and farmers say their threatened status will make it harder to kill lions that pose a safety risk to people and livestock, and that the apex predators were already well protected under state law. Several measures expected to help mountain lions are in place or in progress, including a gargantuan wildlife crossing being constructed over the 101 Freeway and a law that requires cities to consider connectivity in their land-use plans. But their impact will take time the lions don't have."
More than 1,400 California mountain lions are protected under the state's Endangered Species Act following a unanimous vote to list six isolated puma populations in Southern California and the Central Coast as threatened. The designation covers populations ranging from the Bay Area to the U.S.-Mexico border. Fragmentation of habitat has reduced gene flow, and car collisions, rat poison and disease compound the risks. Cougar clans in the Santa Monica and Santa Ana mountains face a 16% to 28% chance of extinction within 50 years without genetic connectivity. Planned measures include a large wildlife crossing over the 101 Freeway and land-use requirements for connectivity, but restoration will take decades.
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