“Translocating” Mountain Lions

March 28 2019

Question: Recently in Sacramento, a mountain lion somehow ended up in a suburban neighborhood (Natomas). I read online that biologists tranquilized it and moved it out of the area. No one was hurt, including the lion, and it seems like a good ending to the story all the way around. But I noticed a lot of people online are commenting that it’s actually against state policy to translocate a mountain lion. Can you explain why this lion was moved? (Marie)

Answer: Thank you for asking. “Translocation” is an often misunderstood concept. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife uses the term to describe the action of purposefully taking an animal out of suitable habitat in one area, and moving it to suitable habitat in another area. In many cases, this is done to encourage a struggling species to repopulate in a new area (for example, bighorn sheep herds or sage-grouse). Mountain lions are not threatened or endangered in California, and we do not currently “translocate” them in this sense.

There are times when wildlife take a wrong turn and end up in unsuitable habitat – as was the case of the lion that ended up in the Natomas neighborhood. When possible, CDFW staff can and do make the call to tranquilize an animal so it can be moved from the unsuitable habitat to the nearest suitable habitat (in the case of the lion in Natomas, the nearest suitable habitat was determined to be the Placer foothills). Providing an animal with the means to escape an unsafe situation is not considered “translocation,” but rather relocation.

Better then putting one in between his eyes, unless you got a cat tag, and it’s Sporting!

I'm pretty sure the law stipulates that relocating the cat was illegal.  I'm not sure if CDFW is authorized to usurp that law.  From CDFW's own website;

Moving problem mountain lions is not an option. It causes deadly territorial conflicts with other mountain lions already there. Or the relocated mountain lion returns.

From this site;
https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/keep-me-wild/lion

Better then putting one in between his eyes, unless you got a cat tag, and it’s Sporting!

Cat tags?  You must be new to California.

Better then putting one in between his eyes, unless you got a cat tag, and it’s Sporting!

Cat tags?  You must be new to California.

Fortunately for me I’m not new to California, because I’m NOT in California 

Translocating mtn lions?
I thought we had a caitlyn jenner type of situation or something. Nevermind.

I'm pretty sure the law stipulates that relocating the cat was illegal.  I'm not sure if CDFW is authorized to usurp that law.  From CDFW's own website;

Moving problem mountain lions is not an option. It causes deadly territorial conflicts with other mountain lions already there. Or the relocated mountain lion returns.

From this site;
https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/keep-me-wild/lion

That seems clear. Can we sue them?

Translocating mtn lions?
I thought we had a caitlyn jenner type of situation or something. Nevermind.

And why would THIS peak your interest instead of a dfw issue?? 
Inquiring minds ...... actually don’t really want to know..... don’t ask, don’t listen!!

One more example of how CDFW is running on feeling and emotions, and not real science. When they do listen to a scientist, it is one that hired for the results they are looking for. 

pique!

I once rejected a job applicant for using “peeked” instead of piqued in his cover letter.

pique!

I once rejected a job applicant for using “peeked” instead of piqued in his cover letter.

Nit -pikky , probably hire a turtle if they misspelled the word though ..pffft

pique!

I once rejected a job applicant for using “peeked” instead of piqued in his cover letter.

Nit -pikky , probably hire a turtle if they misspelled the word though ..pffft

So I can’t spell for Shiite , a can fish like a fothermucker.... catching is a hole different story! 

Put that in thesaurus and smoke it. 

pique!

I once rejected a job applicant for using “peeked” instead of piqued in his cover letter.

Nit -pikky , probably hire a turtle if they misspelled the word though ..pffft

So I can’t spell for Shiite , a can fish like a fothermucker.... catching is a hole different story! 

Put that in thesaurus and smoke it. 

You’re still not getting the job.