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Media Contacts: Melissa Miller-Henson, California Fish and Game Commission, 916-208-4447
California Fish and Game Commission Finds CESA Protections Warranted for Southern California and Central Coast Mountain Lion
The California Fish and Game Commission (Commission) at its Feb. 11-12 meeting approved listing mountain lion populations in parts of southern California and the central coast as a threatened species under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA).
The Commission determined that listing this population of mountain lion is warranted due to threats such as habitat loss, habitat fragmentation and isolation of small populations as a result of expanding human infrastructure, all threats reported in a status review of the species by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
“This segment of the mountain lion population is clearly at risk from distinct threats,” said President Eric Sklar. “Habitat loss, habitat fragmentation by roads, freeways and housing, and mortality from vehicle strikes, rodenticides and risks of isolation and inbreeding would lead to the extinction of these mountain lions if we remained on the same trajectory.”
The Commission’s decision reflects its statutory responsibility under CESA to rely on the best available scientific information and to evaluate whether a native species faces threats that place it at risk of extinction in a significant portion of its range. The Commission found that the southern and central coast mountain lion populations are demographically and genetically isolated, with limited natural connectivity to other populations, making them particularly vulnerable to cumulative impacts. “This was a complex decision, and we are grateful for the support provided by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s world-class science team,” said Commissioner Erika Zavaleta, immediate past president.
The Commission also emphasizes that a CESA listing does not eliminate the ability to address public safety concerns. Existing authorities for protecting human life and safety and protecting livestock remain in place, consistent with state law. "Our job is to protect species before they are on the verge of extinction,” said Commissioner Samantha Murray. “The threatened designation exists under CESA to give species a chance to bounce back before there is an absolute crisis, without diminishing the ability to address public safety.” The listing strengthens conservation planning, promotes habitat connectivity and encourages coordinated efforts among state agencies, local governments, transportation authorities and private landowners to reduce long-term risks to the population.
Following the 1974 ban on hunting mountain lion in California, voters approved Proposition 117 in 1990, which established some exemptions for lethal removal of mountain lions to preserve public safety and to protect private property and livestock.
The Commission’s mission is to ensure California's fish and wildlife resources are sustained for future generations by establishing, through public input and scientific evidence, policies and regulations that protect, restore, and manage these resources, holding them in public trust for all to enjoy.
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