Author: Staff

New Mexico Ends Cougar Trapping

The New Mexico State Game Commission met in Roswell on Thursday, November 21, 2019 to vote on the state’s proposed changes for the Bear and Cougar Rules.

Wildlife advocates rejoiced today as the commission voted to ban the heinous sport trapping of cougars. The current revision also limited how many cougars a hunter could kill. Hunters will no longer be permitted to obtain additional tags to kill more than two cougars.

The Mountain Lion Foundation has been following these developments for months and submitted commentsin September 2019. We urged the New Mexico State Game Commission to adopt the rule to end the barbaric practice of trapping the state’s cougars. New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) received a total of 277 comments from the public during the open comment period.

“We are thankful that the New Mexico State Game Commission voted to end the trapping of cougars,” stated Denise Peterson, Visibility Specialist with the Mountain Lion Foundation.

Thank you to all of our members who took the time to write and submit letters urging the Commission to protect one of New Mexico’s iconic wild cats.

In the last three hunting seasons, a total of 37 mountain lions were trapped and killed by trophy hunters. The infrequency and low participation of this cruel method of take shows that New Mexicans do not support this program. In fact, according to Trap Free New Mexico, “polling shows that nearly 70% of New Mexico voters oppose the use of traps altogether.”

Mountain lions caught in traps suffer tremendously from fear, pain, psychological stress, starvation, dehydration, or predation for extended periods of time. Whether they live or die, their experience is inhumane, reflecting the human capacity for cruelty.

“Halting the use of traps and foot snares for the sport harvest of cougars on private and state trust lands in New Mexico is a step in the right direction,” stated Korinna Domingo, Conservation Specialist with the Mountain Lion Foundation. “These big cats face a plethora of challenges: from heavy hunting pressure to collisions with vehicles and poisons… trapping shouldn’t be one of them.”

The revised rule will be effective through 2024 when it will once again go under review. It is paramount that New Mexicans continue to advocate on behalf of cougars in their state.

There is still more left to do to save New Mexico’s cougars.

While additional rule modifications restricts hunters from obtaining additional tags, they are still able to kill up to two cougars each. As of 2010, NMDGF estimated there were between 3,123 and 4,269 independent, adult cougars in the state. Current hunting quotas far exceed sustainable thresholds established by mountain lion experts and continue to threaten the health and stability of New Mexico’s cougars.

The Mountain Lion Foundation will continue the work of improving policy in New Mexico to protect the state’s cougars.

California Mountain Lions – Episode 8: The Next Step

California Mountain Lions – Episode 8: The Next Step

Several organizations throughout California are working hard to determine current threats to mountain lions and how populations can be preserved across the state; it takes a village to conserve wildlife so what can you do to help?

California Mountain Lions is an 8-episode mini web series illustrating the nature of mountain lions in California. Here, we hope to educate viewers on the importance of mountain lions to the ecosystem and what we can do to prevent their decline in our state.

Thanks to the following for making this project possible!

 

You may support the efforts to protect California lions by making a donation below.

California Mountain Lions – Episode 7: Human Interactions

California Mountain Lions – Episode 7: Human Interactions

3/19/20
Mountain lions are learning to adapt to our increasing presence in nature, which sometimes results in the depredation of domestic animals, and a grim ending for both parties.

California Mountain Lions is an 8-episode mini web series illustrating the nature of mountain lions in California. Here, we hope to educate viewers on the importance of mountain lions to the ecosystem and what we can do to prevent their decline in our state.

Thanks to the following for making this project possible!

 

You may support the efforts to protect California lions by making a donation below.

California Mountain Lions – Episode 6: Through the Food Chain

California Mountain Lions – Episode 6: Through the Food Chain

3/19/20
At the top of the food chain, mountain lions help establish a stable ecosystem which creates a trickle-down effect; their prey can also affect them by exposing them to pathogens and toxins.

California Mountain Lions is an 8-episode mini web series illustrating the nature of mountain lions in California. Here, we hope to educate viewers on the importance of mountain lions to the ecosystem and what we can do to prevent their decline in our state.

Thanks to the following for making this project possible!

 

You may support the efforts to protect California lions by making a donation below.

California Mountain Lions – Episode 5: Making Connections

California Mountain Lions – Episode 5: Making Connections

3/19/20
Migration plays a significant role in mountain lions’ survival as it helps mix genetics throughout California, making the species stronger as a whole.

California Mountain Lions is an 8-episode mini web series illustrating the nature of mountain lions in California. Here, we hope to educate viewers on the importance of mountain lions to the ecosystem and what we can do to prevent their decline in our state.

Thanks to the following for making this project possible!

 

You may support the efforts to protect California lions by making a donation below.

California Mountain Lions – Episode 4: On The Move

California Mountain Lions – Episode 4: On the Move

California provides mountain lions a wide range of habitats and as an extremely adaptable species, they can live anywhere there are adequate resources.”

California Mountain Lions is an 8-episode mini web series illustrating the nature of mountain lions in California. Here, we hope to educate viewers on the importance of mountain lions to the ecosystem and what we can do to prevent their decline in our state.

Thanks to the following for making this project possible!

 

You may support the efforts to protect California lions by making a donation below.

California Mountain Lions – Episode 3: Circle of Life

California Mountain Lions – Episode 3: Circle of Life

In all stages of life, from birth, as helpless kittens, as adolescents, through maturity and finally dispersing in order to find their own territory and mate, mountain lions will face many challenges in their circle of life.

California Mountain Lions is an 8-episode mini web series illustrating the nature of mountain lions in California. Here, we hope to educate viewers on the importance of mountain lions to the ecosystem and what we can do to prevent their decline in our state.

Thanks to the following for making this project possible!

 

You may support the efforts to protect California lions by making a donation below.

California Mountain Lions – Episode 2: Research Techniques

California Mountain Lions – Episode 2: Research Techniques

11/29/2018

Episode 2 takes an in depth look and current research techniques and how they can help protect our mountain lions.

California Mountain Lions is an 8-episode mini web series illustrating the nature of mountain lions in California. Here, we hope to educate viewers on the importance of mountain lions to the ecosystem and what we can do to prevent their decline in our state.

Thanks to the following for making this project possible!

 

You may support the efforts to protect California lions by making a donation below.

California Mountain Lions – Episode 1: Introduction

California Mountain Lions – Episode 1: Introduction

Episode 1 digs into basic mountain lion ecology, their status, and threats they face in California.

California Mountain Lions is an 8-episode mini web series illustrating the nature of mountain lions in California. Here, we hope to educate viewers on the importance of mountain lions to the ecosystem and what we can do to prevent their decline in our state.

Thanks to the following for making this project possible!

 

You may support the efforts to protect California lions by making a donation below.

Fostering Coexistence at P-22 Day

Fostering Coexistence at P-22 Day

Staff and volunteersOn October 19, 2019, the Mountain Lion Foundation attended P- 22 Day in Griffith Park, California. Dozens of organizations come together every year to provide information about mountain lions to local citizens and to fundraise for the world’s largest wildlife overpass – the Liberty Canyon Crossing.

This year, SaveLACougars asked the Mountain Lion Foundation to expand our presence and fill one of the largest tents at the event. Our staff and volunteers spoke with hundreds of people about coexistence, safety at home and on the trail, and how to protect pets and livestock from mountain lions. We had the pleasure of meeting new and long-term members, and we gave updates on the Foundation’s 2019 programs.

The Foundation built a mountain lion-proof enclosure. This year, because Betina Loudermilk, the pen had some adorable occupants: miniature pygmy goats. We raised awareness on one of the most significant causes of mortality for lions in California – depredation.

Hazing DevicesOver the course of the event, the Mountain Lion Foundation gave away over 500 hazing devices. Hundreds of people made their own noisemakers while our staff and volunteers gave safety demonstrations on how to properly use them in the event that they encounter a mountain lion or coyote while hiking on the trail. Air blaster horns were also demonstrated, and over 150 people went home well equipped to use one of these potentially life-saving devices.Mountain Lion Foundation was also requesting support from the public on our petition to list Southern California and Central Coast mountain lions under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA). Dozens of event goers took the time to pen more than 40 handwritten letters of support for the CESA petition that will be sent to the California Fish & Game Commission.

Postcard to Thank a Wildlife OfficerMore than 100 people wrote special thanks to California’s CDFW Wildlife Officers for the work they do to help wildlife populations thrive.The Liberty Canyon Wildlife Crossing is scheduled for completion by 2023. To date, 2,122 people have donated and $13,652,247 has been raised for the crossing. This campaign needs $85,000,000 by 2020. To learn more about the Liberty Canyon Crossing visit SaveLACougars.org.

At the request of the National Wildlife Federation and the National Parks Service, the Volunteer helping with pen buildMountain Lion Foundation contributes directly to the Wildlife Crossing effort by working consistently with communities on both sides of the proposed crossing to safeguard pets and livestock. The crossing will be ineffective if mountain lions are killed for preying on unprotected domestic animals and populations continue to decline. To support this effort, visit MountainLion.org/GIVE

The Foundation could not have had such a successful exhibit without the help of hardworking volunteers who worked their tails off all day. Thank you to Denise Lafey, Alex Miranda, Robin Parks, Brandon Friedlander, Tracy Mainwaring, and Miriam Seger. Special thanks to Tracy and Brandon who volunteered over 30 hours each in the span of two days. We are very grateful to Betina Loudermilk of the Tierra del Sol Foundation who brought the miniature pygmy goats for our exhibit.