Southern California mountain lions recommended for threatened status – Los Angeles Times

Report on the Proposed Threatened Species Status for Mountain Lions in California

Introduction

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has recommended granting threatened species status to approximately 1,400 mountain lions inhabiting the Central Coast and Southern California. This recommendation highlights significant threats to the species, including freeway traffic, rodenticide poisoning, and severe wildfires.

Background and Context

1. In 2018, the Center for Biological Diversity and Mountain Lion Foundation petitioned the California Fish and Game Commission to consider listing six isolated mountain lion populations under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA).
2. In 2020, the Commission granted temporary endangered species protections to these populations as candidates for listing, prompting CDFW to prepare a detailed report to guide the final decision.
3. The upcoming vote by the state wildlife commissioners, expected possibly in February, will determine the formal status of these mountain lion populations.

Significance to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• SDG 15: Life on Land – The recommendation aims to conserve and restore mountain lion populations, promoting biodiversity and ecosystem health.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – Addressing urban barriers and habitat fragmentation supports coexistence between wildlife and human populations.
• SDG 13: Climate Action – Protecting habitats from wildfires and other climate-related threats aligns with efforts to build resilient ecosystems.

Details of the Recommendation

• The proposed listing covers mountain lion populations in the Santa Ana, San Gabriel, San Bernardino, Santa Monica, Santa Cruz, and Tehachapi mountain ranges.
• Some areas along the northern and eastern borders, including agricultural lands in the Bay Area and parts of the desert, were excluded due to lack of documented lion presence.
• Key threats identified include genetic isolation caused by urban development, leading to inbreeding and physical deformities such as kinked tails and malformed sperm.

Conservation Challenges and Measures

1. Urban barriers limit gene flow between mountain lion populations, increasing extinction risk, particularly in the Santa Monica and Santa Ana mountains, where there is an estimated 25% chance of extinction within 50 years.
2. Wildlife crossings, such as the large overpass being constructed over the 101 Freeway in Agoura Hills, are critical for reconnecting fragmented habitats.
3. Proposed protections include increased scrutiny of developments that could further restrict mountain lion movement.

Stakeholder Perspectives

• Supporters: Conservation groups view the recommendation as a vital step toward recovery and ecological balance, emphasizing the mountain lion’s role in California’s natural heritage.
• Opponents: Some critics argue that the listing may impede residential and commercial development and complicate management of lions that pose safety risks.
• Public Safety Concerns: The Department of Fish and Wildlife acknowledges concerns following incidents such as the fatal mountain lion attack in Northern California, highlighting the need for balanced management.

Current Protections and Future Outlook

• Since 1990, mountain lions have been designated as a “specially protected species” in California, with hunting banned for sport.
• The final listing under the California Endangered Species Act would strengthen conservation commitments and provide clearer guidelines for habitat protection and species recovery.
• The decision aligns with broader environmental goals under the SDGs, promoting biodiversity conservation and sustainable coexistence between humans and wildlife.

Conclusion

The recommendation to grant threatened species status to certain mountain lion populations in California represents a critical advancement in wildlife conservation aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. It addresses ecological integrity, habitat connectivity, and public safety, aiming to ensure the long-term survival of these iconic predators while balancing human interests.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • The article focuses on the conservation of mountain lions, a key species in terrestrial ecosystems, highlighting threats such as habitat fragmentation, poisoning, and wildfires.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Urban barriers and freeway development impact mountain lion habitats, indicating the need for sustainable urban planning that considers wildlife corridors.
3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Public safety concerns related to mountain lion attacks and the health of the animals themselves are discussed.
4. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Wildfires, exacerbated by climate change, pose a threat to mountain lion populations.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity.
   • Target 15.1: Ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.3: Enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management.
   • Target 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.9: Reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.
4. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Population Status and Trends
   • Number of mountain lions in specific regions (e.g., approximately 1,400 threatened mountain lions in Central Coast and Southern California, total of 4,170 statewide).
   • Incidence of deformities and inbreeding effects (e.g., kinked tails, malformed sperm) as indicators of genetic health.
   • Probability of extinction within certain populations (e.g., 1 in 4 chance of extinction in Santa Monica and Santa Ana mountains within 50 years).
2. Habitat Connectivity and Fragmentation
   • Presence and effectiveness of wildlife crossings (e.g., the large wildlife crossing over the 101 Freeway in Agoura Hills).
   • Extent of urban barriers restricting gene flow among mountain lion populations.
3. Threats and Mortality Causes
   • Incidents of mountain lions being killed by cars, poisoned by rodenticides, or affected by wildfires.
   • Number of mountain lions euthanized due to injuries or illness (e.g., P-22 case).
4. Public Safety Incidents
   • Number of human injuries or fatalities caused by mountain lions (e.g., the tragic death of a young man mauled by a cougar).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: latimes.com