A legislative bill, (SB 132- Mountain Lion Public Safety Bill) was introduced by Senator Jerry Hill, following an incident which occurred December 1st, 2012 where the California Department of Fish and Wildlife needlessly shot and killed two mountain lion kittens in Half Moon Bay.
The Department said attempting to tranquilize or capture the small cats was too risky and would put the public in danger, even though it is a state protected mammal. The kittens were barely 13 pounds,- about the size of a housecat and were found starving to death by a necropsy. The unjustified killing the kittens over a supposed public saftety issue presented a major problem with the policies of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The bill will require the California Department of Fish and Wildlife wardens to utilize nonlethal options, such as tranquilizers, when responding to mountain lion incidents when there is no imminent threat to human life in backyards and other human popultated areas. It would also increase training and direct staff to look into rehabilitation and relocation programs.
Tell The Governor of California to sign the bill and protect the future of mountain lions.SOURCE
:http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_22704654/policy-change-proposed-mountain-lion-encounters