New California Law Protects Mountain Lions In Populated Areas
SHARE

A California bill signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown last Friday now requires the state’s game wardens to capture or scare off mountain lions unless they pose an urgent, imminent risk to public safety.

An article from the San Mateo County Times says the law, which offers the state’s top predator new protections, prevents California Department of Fish and Wildlife from killing lions that venture into populated areas, and authorizes the agency to work with rescue and other nongovernmental groups to capture, tranquilize and relocate cougars.

Public support for the measure grew since last December after game wardens were criticized for shooting two, possibly orphaned, lion cubs in Half Moon Bay.