Last summer, a wildlife photographer thought he spotted a mountain lion in South Burlington, Vermont. If true, it would have been extraordinary. Mountain lions – also known as cougars, pumas, panthers, or catamounts – were wiped out in northern New England more than 140 years ago. But scientists say their return is not only possible, it could be essential to our ecosystems.
Sign the petition to support rewilding efforts and urge state leaders to allow natural ecosystems to recover and rebalance.
Across the U.S., apex predators are slowly returning to landscapes where they once thrived. Mountain lions have been spotted in states across the Midwest and Northeast, and surveys show that Vermonters overwhelmingly support the idea of their return.
Mountain lions are a keystone species, meaning they play a critical role in maintaining healthy ecosystems. By naturally controlling overpopulated deer herds, they help forests regenerate, protect biodiversity, reduce the spread of Lyme disease, and lower the risk of dangerous vehicle collisions with wildlife.
Fears about reintroducing apex predators are understandable, but often overstated. Mountain lions are reclusive and avoid humans. And we've seen rewilding work before. Beavers, once nearly hunted to extinction, are now restoring wetlands and preventing floods. Wolves in Yellowstone transformed entire ecosystems by restoring balance. Nature responds when we give it the chance.
Sign the petition to support rewilding, healthy ecosystems, and a future where nature is allowed to thrive.
