To the editor: The Times editorial board says: “That's why we must curb the use of rodenticides, which can end up killing lions when they eat prey that has ingested rat poison.” (“California mountain lions are worse than we thought. They need immediate help or they could die,” editorial, January 26).
The state legislature and governor curbed rodenticide use when Assembly Bill 1322 became law last year. Codified as Section 12978.7 of the Food and Agriculture Code, this statute was amended to limit most uses of pesticide products containing diphacinone.
This means that all residential and industrial uses are now prohibited in California. But if you want to buy pesticides containing diphacinone now, just go online and order some.
Which makes one wonder: how is this new law being enforced?
Merete Rietveld, Los Angeles
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To the editor: Southern California mountain lions face only one real challenge: Their territories are too small and getting smaller every year.
Pollyanna solutions, such as freeway crossings and endangered listings, will not change the fact that continued development in Los Angeles, Ventura and Orange counties has made the situation irreversible.
According to the National Park Service, the absolute minimum grassland needed to support an adult lion is 25 square miles when prey is abundant. The home range of a single lion can be 500 square miles or more when prey is scarce.
These biological truths, along with the area's housing shortage, spell the inevitable end for Hollywood's lions.
Mike Post, Los Osos, California.
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To the editor: All Wildlife is under siege. All The bugs are doing poorly under human surveillance.
Until the dismissive attitude of many more people evolves to truly appreciate our interdependence with wildlife, the natural world will continue to suffer.
And ultimately, so do we.
JR Groves, Pacific Palisades
