to the editor: I commend the California Fish and Game Commission for its unanimous vote to designate mountain lions of Southern California and the Central Coast as threatened under the California Endangered Species Act (“More than 1,400 California cougars obtain protection as an endangered species” February 12). I had the opportunity to speak during public comment in support of this action and was deeply encouraged to see the commission affirm that prevention is much smarter than waiting for extinction.
Urban development has decimated open spaces and cut off natural corridors, isolating animals and intensifying inbreeding. Vehicle collisions, exposure to rodenticides and predation exacerbate an already fragile situation.
This decision creates a path for smarter planning, better habitat protection, and greater investment in wildlife connectivity. I am hopeful that it will also provide stronger protections against rodenticides.
The Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing on Highway 101 demonstrates what coexistence can look like in practice. The crossing will reconnect isolated mountain lions in the Santa Monica Mountains, aiding their long-term survival.
California has long prided itself on its environmental leadership. This vote reflects that legacy and offers hope that future generations will inherit landscapes where mountain lions still roam.
Randi Feilich, Calabasas
