To the editor: The recent mountain lion attack against an 11 -year -old girl in Malibu is undoubtedly tragic, but it is crucial to understand the broader context of human life conflict (“The 11 -year -old León Mountain girl chases her mother and brother in Malibu”, August 11). As we continue to expand our residential footprint to traditional wildlife habitats, particularly in areas such as the regions of the Malibu cannon, we are creating inevitable conflict points with native predators.
The reported presence of chickens in the backyard creates an attractive for wildlife. When we present the cattle in the territory of Lion Mountain, we are essentially establishing the table for these predators.
We need to examine how our choices, from the development of housing to the agriculture of the rear patio, affect wildlife. The eutanization of this mountain lion represents a failure of coexistence, not the animal that follows its natural instincts. In the future, we must implement better urban planning policies and reconsider the wisdom of maintaining cattle in well -known mountain lions habitats.
Ben Williamson, Torrance
The writer is Executive Director of Animal Outlook, a non -profit organization that investigates the way agribusiness treats animals.
