Mountain Lion Foundation Newsletter - Issue 2 Vol 2 - Summer 2021

Saving America’s Lion ©Dan Potter

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2021

REMARKABLE MOUNTAIN LIONS

The cat family, Felidae, is remarkable.

The family’s smallest adults weigh less than 4 pounds, and its largest, more than 600 pounds. Our New World lion, Puma concolor, is the fourth largest cat, typically weighing under 200 pounds. Aficionados regard pumas as the “cat of cats” for their amazing combination of physical capabilities as well as utilization of habitats that range from desert to forest to swamp lands, and sea level to above 10,000 feet elevation. As obligate carnivores, cougars must eat meat because they lack enzymes to utilize plant material, and require—like all cats— several essential amino acids found only in meat. Fortunately, our lions are dietary generalists and willing to eat a wide variety of animals, and have the strength to take prey multiples more massive than themselves. This latter skill allows them to take a large animal and feed from it for several days, or longer if the weather is right. However, since these cats did not co-evolve with humans, we do not fit their “prey model,” which helps explain why fatal human interactions with mountain lions are rare.

Altogether, a mountain lion’s ability to function across a variety of landscapes and dietary choices, plus an innate aversion to people, has earned the lion a reputation as a resilient species. Indeed it is, having managed to survive persecution and extirpation attempts since shoes first touched the New World. And therein is a modern problem for lions. Wildlife agencies and hunting organizations use resilience as a keyword to disregard anthropogenic threats to our wild cats.

Other than California, western states with lion populations keep increasing human-caused mortalities of lions, without regard to the loss of habitat and connectivity, drought, wildfires, and the impact of wolves returning to the west.

States justify over-killing of the cats by claiming cougars are resilient and will never go extinct—unlike so many other “resilient” species have. There are more moose, more bighorn sheep, more mountain goats, than mountain lions; agencies limit hunting the former species, but kill lions willy-nilly.

Mountain Lion Foundation recognizes lion resiliency, based on conditions more than a century ago, but today’s threats are more deadly, widespread, and pervasive.

The time to protect a species is before it’s endangered. At MLF, we focus on mountain lions, but we recognize that because lions are both a keystone and umbrella species, our programs also protect biodiversity and environmental integrity. Your participation and support gives MLF the resilience to carry on its fight, Saving America’s Lion.

- Bob McCoy Chair, MLF Board of Directors

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MOURNING MELANIE THE MOUNTAIN LION

Both cats were adored and fawned over by Lions, Tigers and Bears staff and volunteers. They were fed nothing but the best. All their needs were attended to.

Rest in peace Melanie.

Melanie was gorgeous, she knew it. Just one look into her eyes told you that you were dealing with a sentient being.

In May 2016, Melanie and her male partner, Punkin, were both rescued from a terrible facility in Ohio. For years they had apparently been used as breeders in the exotic cat trade. They were kept in grim, cramped enclosures.

Both were brought to Lions, Tigers and Bears, a world class sanctuary in Alpine, California, run by Bobbi Brink.

One morning, last October, Melanie was acting normal. She was seen walking into her bedroom enclosure, where she then collapsed, and quietly passed away.

A necropsy showed a cardiac event was the cause of death. She was thought to be about 16 years old. Lions, Tigers and Bears staff, volunteers, and Punkin all miss her greatly.

Text and images courtesy of Bobbi Brink, Executive Director of Lions, Tigers and Bears

THE WILDCAT SANCTUARY RESCUES INJURED COUGAR KITTEN

“She required extreme medical care from our veterinarian, and our team of caregivers worked tirelessly for weeks to help her heal and nurse her back to health.”

In April 2021, The Wildcat Sanctuary in Sandstone, Minnesota rescued a cougar kitten in extremely poor condition. The approximately 4-month-old female cougar was starving and emaciated, had numerous bites on her body and was suffering from a large facial wound.

Little Anastasia, as the sanctuary named her, had been purchased as a pet but because she was unsocialized to people, she ended up turned out on her own in the wild. Unable to fend for herself or allude predators, Anastasia became emaciated and injured. Luckily, good Samaritans intervened to get the young cougar to The Wildcat Sanctuary, one of the country’s largest accredited sanctuaries for big cats.

Anastasia’s intake medical exam at The Wildcat Sanctuary showed she had been bitten in several areas. Weighing 22 pounds, she was extremely underweight and dehydrated. She also had a urinary tract infection, low thyroid and giardia. And she suffered from a large, open wound on her face.

Now Anastasia will live a peaceful ‘wild at heart’ life at The Wildcat Sanctuary and enjoy her lush, natural habitat with lots of room to explore, caves to play in, and platforms to nap on in the sun. The sanctuary plans to eventually introduce her to another cougar so she will have a companion to play and cuddle with.

Susan Bass, Public Relations - The Wildcat Sanctuary

“When we rescued this cougar kitten in April, her injuries were so severe and her medical condition so dire we weren’t sure she would make it,” explained Tammy Thies, Founder and Executive Director of The Wildcat Sanctuary.

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SAVING AMERICA’S LION THIRTY-FIVE YEARS OF DETERMINED RESILIENCE “This is life. This is what it does. Life brings you to your knees.

It brings you lower than you think you can go.

But if you stand back up and move forward if you go just a little further - you will always find love.”

- Laia Costa - Isabel Díaz Life Itself

On August 15, 1986, the Mountain Lion Foundation was brought into existence.

Formed by a coalition of dedicated conservationists, MLF focused on stopping trophy hunting of America’s lion using tactics that we still practice today: public education, lawsuits and grass roots organizing. Were it not for the resiliency of the organization, its founders and supporters, MLF would not be here today.

Our founders knew in 1986 that any delay would be dangerous — America’s lion couldn’t wait. Then as now, supporters of trophy hunting — the National Rifle Association - hunters and others, were fierce and MLF endured a multitude of threats, yet the founders were dedicated, focused and brave. By forming MLF and organizing an army of supporters, they stopped sport hunting of lions in California and forged a path of stability and resiliency that has lasted more than three decades.

Today, if you asked ten people what they know of America’s lion you would probably get ten different answers — they are native to the America’s, they can live and thrive in dry hot deserts as easily as snowy mountain tops, they have beautiful thick tawny coats with tails so long they drag on the ground. They eat deer and elk and rarely attack or kill humans; they have blue eyes when they are babies. They have well over 40 names — ghost walker, puma, mountain screamer, and cougar — they are a keystone species and one of the central most important species adding to the diversity of life in the Americas and, one of the most resilient. Most importantly, they have no natural predators, save for humans.

While we have made great strides protecting our lion, outside of California they are still routinely killed, and even eaten, just for fun by hunters. They are killed in traps for their beautiful fur and MLF’s story of saving America’s Lion isn’t more often, killed by livestock operators just about the past. As you read through that don’t practice good animal husbandry. the pages of this newsletter, you will see They are killed by car strikes, rodenticide many successes as well as poisoning, or brought to an early death by disappointments; we have championed legislation at the state and federal level to unhappy, rogue, small-town sheriffs who use a cougar’s death to gain a false sense combat threats to our lions as well as global threats like climate change. We have of power. These are the lion’s battleengaged experts to educate the public and grounds. This is where we work. assist us in many of our battles. Some of Something else our founders knew 35 you may remember the early days and some may be new to saving this iconic cat. years ago, change only works if we all want it together. For when we remember why we All of you have brought MLF to this new place of living with lions. We are coexisting are here, and rediscover our resilient self, we push harder for the changes needed to with them on the urban edge and in the rural communities, sometimes, even in the create a safer world. A world ‘where lions and people coexist’ and ‘where wildlands cities. are nurtured and not subdued’. Where At the time MLF was formed, most people farmers, small and large, no longer feel were not familiar with America’s lion or the threatened by wilderness but embrace it like a warm blanket on a cold night…and terrible struggle it faced just to exist.

where those that once wielded weapons against our wildlife perhaps will have become protective - loving the very thing, they once found cause to dominate. A place where people no longer feel the fear of being near wildlife but feel the excitement and experience the wonder of knowing and living near other amazing species that inhabit our planet. Where our differences are merely unique characteristics of a living, breathing, diverse and inclusive world. Where loving America’s Lion is more than a choice, it is a part of life itself. This is the coexistence we seek.

Our urgency is impressive, and as we push for more protections, our ability to bounce back, to be resilient, will not change. We will be here for as long as it takes to save America’s lion – perhaps even to see our lion back on lands it once freely roamed for we know that the most serious threat to mountain lions, and all wildlife, is loss of habitat.

We can coexist with America’s Lion. We can allow her to be wild, to thrive and complete the cycle of life, a cycle that we and all other species so depend on. Let’s approach each other with an outstretched hand and coexist together. Let’s narrate new stories of resilience and finding a love for all things.

In the words of William Blake, we have shown that “what is now proved was once only imagined.”

We are, Saving America’s Lion.

- Debra Chase, CEO

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AB 434

AB 434 - Public lands: grazing leases. – Victory for the lion!

California Assembly Bill 434, which would have expanded commercial grazing leases on public lands and state parks in the name of fire prevention, has failed this year. The Mountain Lion Foundation led a large and diverse coalition of conservation, public lands, and wildlife protection organizations in opposing AB 434. This bill aimed to place long term grazing leases in California’s state parks, wildlife areas, ecological reserves, and other precious public lands that mountain lions call their home.

©MLF

Many thanks to our friends who said “No Bull”: Sierra Club California, WildEarth Guardians, Center for Biological Diversity, PawPAC, National Parks Conservation Association, Animal Legal Defense Fund, California State Parks Foundation, Save Our Seashore, Environmental Action Committee of West Marin, Mono Lake Committee, Trust for Public Land and The Planning and Conservation League.

"Leave the firefighting to the heroes and the milking to the cows. AB 434 stopped in its tracks."

OUR WORK ACROSS THE NATION

Federal Action MLF joined several organizations in an Amicus Brief supporting an appeal from a ruling that the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) and other plaintiffs lacked standing to sue for injuries brought about by climate change. The District Court decided that there is no injury or harm that is unique to individual plaintiffs because climate change affects everyone - we disagree! Just because all are harmed by global warming is not a reason to deny ALDF or others their day in court.

Arizona

Our work in Arizona resulted in the Game and Fish Commission voting to ban the use of trail cameras for aiding the take of wildlife.

California The Mountain Lion Foundation is at the State Capital on the ground, driving advocacy in California for over three decades. We are proud to continue to monitor and work with state agencies to ensure California continues to set the gold standard for lion protection.

As it stands in CA currently The State Budget: The California budget is still in flux due to trailer bills but it appears that there will be significant funds spent on the environment, some examples: crossings/passages $230m, $64.6m for Biodiversity Resilience, including $53.75m for non-fee related California Endangered Species Act (CESA) work; $7.85 million to do an assessment of CDFW lands and infrastructure, including $350,000 to develop a feasibility study for a state-of-the-art Wildlife Health Lab; $3 million in one-time funding to develop a wolf compensation program.

CESA Petition

Foundation. The Mountain Lion Foundation and our members have long supported the The California Endangered Species Act crossing and the work of Save LA Cougars (CESA) petition that we filed jointly with the to complete this project. This Spring, MLF Center for Biological Diversity, must took the lead to pass AB 149 which will undergo a status review prior to being allow the Wildlife Conservation Board to approved. The CDFW status review report name wildlife crossing projects as a was due May 3, 2021. CDFW asked for potential incentive or acknowledgement of and was given a 6 month extension until private donations such as the Annenberg November. These extensions are common donation. AB 149 has been sent to in complex cases and in this case comGovernor Newson and awaits his signature bined with Covid’s effect on workload at as we go to press.

CDFW. AB 645 - Fish and wildlife: poaching: Our Work in the CA Legislature: penalties: probation period. – Failed this year and might be active again in The Mountain Lion Foundation has 2022. Would have extended some probasupported these bills, which have a tion periods for poaching wildlife to greater positive impact for lions. than 1 year.

AB 149 - Transportation Budget Trailer Bill – The Liberty Canyon Wildlife Crossing in the Santa Monica Mountains is closer to breaking ground today thanks to a $25 million challenge grant from the Annenberg

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AB 1189 - Transportation: indirect cost recovery: wildlife crossing projects. – Failed this year and might be active again in 2022. This bill would prohibit the Department of Transportation from charging for administration indirect cost recovery for any wildlife crossing project that receives private funding for more than 50% of the project cost.

Colorado Recent legislative session featured many wins for land and water conservation, some of which will indirectly benefit mountain lions in the state.

HB 1326 – This bill invests $25 million into Colorado State Parks including $3.5 million for Colorado Parks & Wildlife to implement its statewide wildlife action plan and AB 1298 - Pesticides: use of 2nd conservation of native species. Much of generation anticoagulant rodenticides. Still this funding will be used to protect habitats active, last heard in committee on that mountain lions, as well as many other 7/13/2021. Technical clean up removing native species, rely on. the need for the Director to make a HB 1233- This enhances the conservation certification before use in certain easement credit for landowners, providing circumstances. greater opportunity for landowners to place SB 55 - Very high fire hazard severity their land in easement. These conservation zone: development prohibition. Failed this easements help improve habitat year and might be active again in 2022. connectivity for many species, including This bill would prohibit the creation or mountain lions, particularly when protected approval of a new development, in a very parcels are adjacent to public lands. high fire hazard severity zone unless there SB 249- This bill will provide more funding is a comprehensive, wildfire prevention to respond to growing demand for public and community hardening strategy. land access, including for first responders Here are bills we stand in opposition of. and other professionals to keep both visitors and wildlife safe through AB 554 - Department of Fish and educational programs and campaigns.

Wildlife: Office of the Ombudsperson.

Failed this year and might be active again HB 1318 - An important win for outdoor equity and access. The bill establishes the in 2022. This bill would require the Fish Outdoor Equity Board within Colorado and Game Commission to appoint the ombudsperson, to operate independently Parks & Wildlife that will provide grants to of department staff, report to the president improve park access for underserved youth and their families. of the commission and be exempt from public records disclosure.

SB 760 and SB761 - State highways: State Route 241, San Clemente. Failed this year but might be active again in 2022.

This bill would delete from the state highway system the portion of State Route 241 from State Route 5 south of the City of San Clemente to Oso Parkway east of the City of Mission Viejo. Without amendment it might preclude remediation efforts to protect mountain lions and other wildlife that were required in a lawsuit settlement.

An upcoming initiative on the Ballot to support.

Plastics Free CA initiative has collected sufficient signatures and should qualify to be on the November 2022 ballot.

With so few remaining we cannot spare even one life. However, despite this set back, our fight does not end here. We will continue to advocate for lions in Nebraska until they are protected from poor management such as this.

New Mexico Thanks to supporters like you, wildlife on public lands in New Mexico are now safe from trappers! New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed into law Senate Bill (SB) 32, which bans traps, snares, and poisons on public lands across the state. This is a HUGE win for the lion and other wildlife sought after by fur trappers and other hunters. The trap free coalition, together with concerned citizens worked hard and we are thrilled to see this tireless work finally pay off.

Our thanks go out to the many organizations in the Trap Free New Mexico coalition: Wild Earth Guardians, Rio Grande Chapter of Sierra Club, Animal Protection Voters, Southwest Environmental Center, New Mexico Wild, Project Coyote, Center for Biological Diversity, Conservation Voters of New Mexico, Endangered Species Coalition, Amigos Bravos, Defenders of Wildlife, and Sandia Mountain Bearwatch.

We are so grateful for everyone’s hard work.

Nebraska

While we celebrate the mountain lions’ many wins, there are always losses and this requires that we stay diligent in our work. In Nebraska we advocated for the end of trophy hunting to protect the precious few mountain lions that remain in that region. Despite our request, and your support, the hunt will move forward. As of 2019, the mountain lion population in the Pine Ridge was estimated at a mere 34 individuals, including kittens. This number does not include the 11 lions killed in the 2020 and 2021 seasons. When you factor in lions removed by hunters, the population size dwindles to 23. If 2/3 of the population is of adult age, then the population is closer to 15 individuals.

Writer and naturalist Caryl Pearson has designed a Wildcat Crossword Puzzle. Wander over to our Kid's Corner on our website to see if you can solve it.

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Oklahoma

$50,000 of the general fund—state Our work did not end there! Mountain lions appropriation for fiscal year 2022 and $50,000 of the general fund—state passing though Oklahoma are safe from appropriation for fiscal year 2023 are hunting for at least a year. In January provided solely for the Department to assist 2021, SB 769 was introduced by Senator local jurisdictions in responding to cougar Casey Murdock (R), a cattle and calf related public safety issues. The funding is rancher in Oklahoma, which proposed a lottery or draw for mountain lion hunting in available to a local jurisdiction if they have the state of Oklahoma. Allowing the killing a signed agreement with the Department of the rare transecting lion that happens to that recognizes cougar management authority is vested in the Department and roam through the state would offset any conservation efforts that have been made provides criteria to determine if a cougar creates an actionable public safety risk in that region. The Mountain Lion Foundation, and several other conservation eligible for financial assistance. For the purposes of this subsection, a cougar organizations, opposed SB 769 as it jeopardized the ability of mountain lions to presence on private property alone does not create an actionable public safety risk. reclaim portions of their historic range, would undo decades of research, science, We thank the Budget Leaders Christine and conservation endeavors, and is not Rolfes and Kevin Van De Wege for ethical wildlife management. Thanks to these efforts, SB 769 is currently “dormant bringing this forward and getting it passed.

This is great news for cougars in for the year.” The Mountain Lion Foundation will continue to monitor this bill, Washington State. Cougars are overhunted along with others that threaten the survival in Washington and this bill will help to ensure they are not killed just for existing of the puma, in this region. and living their lives.

Washington The Mountain Lion Foundation is committed to having a strong presence in Washington state where we are working to create a solid foundation for cougar survival.

As it stands in WA currently The State Budget:

Our Work in the Washington Legislature: The Mountain Lion Foundation has supported these bills, which have a positive impact for lions.

5141-S2.PL - Environmental Equity Signed – Partial Veto - May 17, 2021.

Establishes criteria for the State to follow to SB 5092 - WDFW is provided funds for address environmental and health assistance grants to local public safety disparities that were identified by the agencies for responding to cougar safety issues and is also required to report back to Environmental Justice Task Force, such as inclusiveness in community engagement, the legislature on the number of cougars killed by law enforcement and the impact of equitable distribution of benefits, and consideration of vulnerable populations in this on management. Within amounts appropriated in this budget, the Department decision making. of Fish and Wildlife must provide a report to 5126-S2.PL – Climate Commitment Act, the legislature by January, 2022 on the Cap and Trade Legislation - Signed – number of cougars reported to the Partial Veto - May 17, 2021. This is a cap Department as harvested [killed] by and trade legislation that puts a cap on local law enforcement agencies, training greenhouse gas emissions and allows for a opportunities provided to local law tradable allowance of these emissions. enforcement agencies, and how cougar removals by local enforcement agencies impact the department's cougar management strategies.

Current Litigation on behalf of the lion: Klickitat County Sheriff - MLF has joined the lawsuit filed by Animal Law Offices of Adam P. Karp to dismantle Klickitat County’s Puma Posse effectively stopping the Sheriff from using said posse to kill cougars, just for existing. For more information on this important litigation and how you can help go to our website.

Governor Inslee We have written the Governor, as have many of you, our supporters and members of MLF urging him to appoint conservation and science minded WDFW commissioners to the two open seats.

None of these accomplishments, nor our future endeavors to keep fighting for the lion would happen without you. Through your support comes their survival!

Thank you for saving America’s iconic lion!

HISTORIC CHANGE COMES TO CALIFORNIA FISH & GAME COMMISSION California Governor Gavin Newsom, whose father co-founded the Mountain Lion Foundation, announced appointment of three members of the California Fish and Game Commission on March 24, 2021. UC Santa Cruz ecology professor Erika Zavaleta has been newly appointed. Jacqueline Hostler-Carmesin, who has served on the commission since 2013, was reappointed as was Samantha Murray who has served on the Commission since 2019.

The Mountain Lion Foundation is encouraged by these appointments, especially given the significance of the Commission – for the first time in its 150-year history - becoming majority female, majority conservation, and ensuring tribal, marine, legal, and ecological expertise is available to guide Commission decisions. California staying a step ahead.

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FROM THE SCIENCE DESK

What if mountain lions and wolves could help keep you safe on roadways?

Well, it seems that they actually can! Many people fear mountain lions, but did you know that deer are far more dangerous than mountain lions? Deer account for over one million car accidents per year in the United States, causing around 200 deaths each year, and costing more than $8 billion annually. In contrast, only 20 people have been killed by mountain lions in the United States over the past 100 years!

If we can save money in the billions by having healthy populations of carnivores around, that would strongly outweigh the money generated by trophy hunting. Perhaps there is hope!

- Diana Boyle, MLF Biologist

A recent study in Wisconsin found that the presence of wolves is actually helping to keep drivers safe, providing an indirect benefit to humans by helping to reduce deer-vehicle collisions by about 24%. The study suggests that the presence of wolves creates a “landscape of fear”, which keeps the deer moving and off roadways, and helps to regulate the population. Not only do wolves, then, help keep humans safe, they also provide ecosystem services, including naturally regulating deer numbers which reduces over browsing and results in a healthier more diverse ecosystem. Human deer hunters cannot replicate this “landscape of fear” effect and deer hunting generates much less money than this free ecosystem service by wolves saves.

In 2016, a similar study led by Dr. Laura Prugh, a member of the Mountain Lion Foundation’s Science Advisory Council, found that mountain lions could help reduce deer-vehicle collisions by as much as 22%, if re-introduced in the Eastern United States. The result? 21,400 human injuries, 155 fatalities, and $2.13 billion in associated costs could be saved within 30 years of mountain lion re-establishment in the East.

The ecosystem services that large carnivore restoration could provide would likely outweigh the costs of coexistence.

CITATIONS: Raynor, J. L., C. A. Grainger and D. P. Parker. 2021. Wolves make roadways safer, generating economic return to predator conservation.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 118(22): e2023251118.

Gilbert, S. L., K. J. Sivy, C. B. Pozzanghera, A. DuBour, K. Overduijn, M. M. Smith, J. Zhou, J. M. Little and L. R. Prugh. 2016.

Socioeconomic benefits of large carnivore recolonization through reduced wildlife-vehicle collisions. Conservation Letters 10(4): 431-439.

So what does this mean for wolves and cougars? Well, it might just mean hope. Since there is an economic benefit to having predators around, this may just be something that gains support.

Mountain Lion Educational Opportunities: The Mountain Lion Foundation was pleased to take part in an opportunity to collaborate with the Alpine Historical Society (AHS) to educate the public on the mountain lion, its behavior and biology and received this warm feedback from a member.

“Just wanted to let you know what a warm “post Covid” reception Robin and Jane had in Alpine today. We had a gathering of 31 inquisitive people that thoroughly enjoyed Robin and Jane sharing their expertise on Cougars in our backcountry. I heard Robin speak in Descanso a couple months ago and thought it’d be a perfect fit for Alpine. I’m a member of the Alpine Historical Society and plan various programs each quarter for our

members and community. Today was perfect as there have been some “sightings” and lots of stories lately that made for some lively and important discussion. Thanks for all you and your volunteers do to better educate the public. You are greatly appreciated!”

-Corinne Lewis The Mountain Lion Foundation deeply appreciates long time volunteers like Robin Parks and Jane Santorum for their dedication to saving America’s lion.

For a presentation in your community, contact us at info@mountainlion.org.

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ON LOCATION IN UTAH “King” is a name that we gave to one of the mountain lions that we’ve gotten to know through our camera traps. He’s a mature male with a number of nicks in his ears and a distinct limp that quietly alludes to the type of life that he’s lived. We’ve been observing him from a distance through these remotely-triggered cameras since early 2020 after we came across his giant tracks in the snow. Since we first crossed his path, we’ve successfully documented his silent movement through the landscape on numerous occasions. As he passes by our cameras, his heavy paws make only the slightest of sounds – a true testament to the stealth of these magnificent animals.

The two disappeared from our cameras for months leaving us to wonder where they were and how they were doing, especially with yet another heavy hunting season underway. Fortunately, however, they have both reappeared! First, “Leona,” slowly and diligently moving through her territory, followed a few weeks after by “King,” who stopped by a few of our cameras while leaving his “calling card.” It was so humbling and rewarding to see these two again. Now, we keep our fingers crossed and cameras positioned for kittens!

Stay Tuned for our Camera Program where members of the program will receive exclusive videos and pictures of traps.

This past November, we were treated to a deeper glimpse into the nature of this cat. Much to our surprise and delight, we caught - Denise Peterson, MLF Conservation Advocate both “King” and a female that we’d been observing since December 2019 on several of our cameras, engaged in that ritual dance that is as old as time. As the two courted one another, he gently moved around her while they sauntered through the mountains. The female, “Leona” as we call her, was nearly playful, often purring as they passed by the cameras. Soon, they were out of sight and the activity that we’d come to know ceased.

Mountain Lion Foundation P.O. Box 1896 Sacramento, CA 95812

PLACE STAMP HERE

Together, we can save America’s lion.