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ANIMAL WATCH - Conservation advocates are celebrating what they call a major victory for California wildlife after the California Fish and Game Commission voted today to protect imperiled mountain lions across much of the state under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA).
The decision follows years of advocacy and scientific review focused on declining mountain lion populations in Southern California and along the Central Coast.
“This is an epic win for California’s iconic big cats,” said Katie Nolan, Wild Animals campaigner for In Defense of Animals, who spoke at the commission meeting. “Not only will protection give inherently valuable individuals a much-needed lifeline, it will have a cascading impact that will improve biodiversity.”
Years in the Making
The move stems from a 2019 petition filed by the Center for Biological Diversity and the Mountain Lion Foundation. The petition sought formal listing of certain mountain lion populations under CESA, triggering a state review process led by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW).
In December 2025, CDFW recommended that Southern California and Central Coast mountain lions be listed as a threatened distinct population segment (DPS) under the state law. Supporters of In Defense of Animals submitted 948 public comments backing the recommendation.
Persistent Threats Despite Prior Protections
Mountain lions have been classified as a specially protected mammal since the passage of Proposition 117 in 1990, which banned sport hunting of the species. Yet conservationists argue that legal protections have not shielded the animals from mounting ecological pressures.
Among the primary threats cited:
- Vehicle strikes
- Habitat loss and fragmentation
- Wildfires
- Rodenticide poisoning
- Disease
- Inbreeding due to isolated populations
The Southern California and Central Coast populations are considered especially vulnerable due to shrinking habitat corridors and limited genetic diversity. Because mountain lions are solitary and require vast territories, development pressures have heightened concerns that local extinctions could occur without intervention.
A Mandate for State Action
With the commission’s vote, state agencies will be required to take steps to address threats facing mountain lions from the Bay Area to the U.S.–Mexico border. Conservation groups say this should include improving habitat connectivity, safeguarding critical habitat areas, and reducing human-caused mortality.
Advocates also pointed to the legacy of P-22, the famed Los Angeles mountain lion photographed in front of the Hollywood Sign. His story brought national attention to the challenges big cats face in navigating urban landscapes.
“P-22’s rise to fame raised much-needed awareness about the plight these big cats face as they try to survive in an increasingly developed world,” Nolan said. “It’s wonderful to see his legacy has helped grow public concern for their survival — and now their protection.”
(In Defense of Animals is an international animal protection organization based in Marin County, California, with more than 250,000 supporters. Founded in 1983, the organization advocates for animals, people, and the environment through education, campaigns, and hands-on rescue facilities in India, South Korea, Mississippi, and Central California.)
