On the heels of the recent killing of male mountain lion P-56 by a landowner whose livestock was being attacked, two L.A. City Councilmembers introduced a resolution to stop this from happening in the future. 

By California law, property owners whose livestock have been killed by a mountain lion can apply for a permit from the Department of Fish and Wildlife to kill the lion, if they attempt to deter the creature by other means first. 

The resolution introduced by Koretz and Ryu asks the city to support “action to amend the state law and end the issuance of depredation permits for mountain lions,” as well as create a fund to reimburse people who’ve lost livestock. It would also list the city as being in support of classifying mountain lions as “threatened” under the California Endangered Species Act. 

Supporters of the resolution say that it’s important to conservation of California’s habitat. Farmers and livestock owners have countered that they need to be able to protect themselves and their livelihoods from predators. 

We dive into the topic.

Guests:

Paul Koretz, co-sponsor of the resolution and Los Angeles City Councilmember representing the 5th Council District, which includes includes communities on the west side of Los Angeles from Hollywood to Bel Air, as well as communities in the San Fernando Valley; he tweets

Beth Pratt, California regional executive director for the National Wildlife Federation and author of the book “When Mountain Lions Are Neighbors: People And Wildlife Working It Out In California” (Heyday, 2016); she tweets

Wendell Phillips, Malibu resident who has owned livestock that’s been attacked by mountain lions; attorney and retired peace officer