CA Legislation introduced to protect mountain lions from game wardens

San Mateo County Times/Aaron Kinney, 1/24/13.  "Jerry Hill unveils law to stop killing of mountain lions."

The two cubs were about 4 months old, 13-14 pound cubs *

Responding to last month's controversial killing by game wardens of two 4-month-old cougar cubs, state Sen. Jerry Hill on Friday will introduce legislation to reform how the California Department of Fish and Wildlife handles encounters between humans and mountain lions.  
The bill would require the agency to use nonlethal methods when dealing with cougars unless there is a dire public safety threat. It would also authorize the department to work with wildlife groups and other organizations in capturing the animals. Critics say the agency has tied its own hands with guidelines that allow practically any wayward lion to be dispatched.

....  Regrettable event.  The Department of Fish and Wildlife created a public uproar Dec. 1 when game wardens shot and killed two cubs, believed to be orphaned siblings, under the porch of a home in  Half Moon Bay.

Related -  Half Moon Bay Review/Mark Noack, 1/24/13, "New bill would order wardens to avert cougar deaths."  "The current guidelines really force (wardens) to kill mountain lions even if humans aren't at risk," Hill said. "We wanted to allow the department and wardens to take alternative actions if appropriate."  * photograph from CA Fish and Wildlife this article.

Related -  Huffington Post/San Mateo County Times/Aaron Kinney, 12/22/12, "Half Moon Bay Mountain Lioin Cubs were size of house cats when killed."   Half Moon Bay Review/Mark Noack, 12/4/12, "Citing safety, state officials kill young mountain lions."  "Wardens with the California Department of Fish and Game shot and killed two juvenile mountain lions on Saturday. The animals had wandered into a Half Moon Bay neighborhood just a block from downtown."

Posted by Kathy Meeh