California might be known for shielding mountain lions from sport hunting, but wildlife managers in the Eastern Sierra have taken a sharp turn: they’ve started removing lions again to protect one of the state’s rarest game animals — the endangered Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep.
For nearly a decade, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) avoided lethal removal and tried relocating problem lions instead. That approach worked for young cats and females, but mature toms refused to stay put. Several trekked back into prime sheep country and resumed killing bighorn. One big male was hauled more than 200 miles away, only to return and take more sheep. With the entire bighorn population hovering around just 400 animals, CDFW ultimately put him down this summer to prevent further losses.
This shift didn’t happen out of nowhere. In 2023, Eastern Sierra hunters raised alarms about shrinking bighorn and mule deer numbers, claiming that booming lion populations were hammering already stressed herds. Their petition pushed the state to reassess predator management in the region.
Many wildlife biologists—like longtime Sierra researcher John Wehausen—agree that removing specific lions is necessary if bighorn are going to recover. Others, including the National Wildlife Federation’s Beth Pratt, argue the state should emphasize herd growth and keep exploring non-lethal tools instead of relying on lethal management.
One thing everyone can agree on: the Eastern Sierra has become ground zero in a tough balancing act—protecting predators, safeguarding struggling big-game species, and keeping the whole ecosystem from tipping out of balance.
Source: https://www.activenorcal.com/why-california-began-killing-mountain-lions-in-the-name-of-conservation/
