California mountain lions are now threatened species – NBC Los Angeles

California is now mandating all state agencies to protect mountain lions in Southern California and the Central Coast.

The California Fish and Game Commission Thursday voted unanimously to designate the cougars as a threatened species, requiring all state agencies to address threats against the mountain lions.

Thursday’s vote came after the California Fish and Game Commission submitted a recommendation in December in favor of the designation, with the goal of supporting pumas in Southern California and the Central Coast.

“This is an epic win for California’s iconic big cats,” said Katie Nolan from In Defense of Animals, a wildlife advocacy organization. “Not only will protection give inherently valuable individuals a much-needed lifeline, it will have a cascading impact that will improve biodiversity.”

Designating the Southern California and Central Coast mountain lions as a threatened species also means the state is now legally required to improve their habitats while working to reduce human causes of mortality, such as car crashes and rat poisoning. There are about 1,400 mountain lions living in Southern California and the Central Coast.

The populations of the California cougars are also at risk of being wiped out because of dwindling habitats, inbreeding, wildfires and other factors, state officials said.

“Mountain lion P-22’s rise to fame after being photographed in front of the Hollywood Sign raised much-needed awareness about the plight these big cats face as they try to navigate an increasingly developed world,” added Nolan. “It’s wonderful to see his legacy has helped grow public concern for their survival and now their protection.”

Other plans are currently in the works in Los Angeles to provide wildlife, including cougars, further protection. The construction for the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing is set to complete in late 2026 to early 2027. The Los Angeles City Council has directed work toward comprehensive plans that would connect wildlife habitats across jurisdictions and identify corridors, including those in the Santa Monica Mountains, Verdugo and San Gabriel ranges.