"California wildlife officials have adopted new rules aimed at protecting the public from mountain lions without resorting to killing so many of the big cats so often when they roam near humans, pets or livestock."
"Mountain lions, also known as cougars, are classified as a "specially protected species" in California under a measure that makes it generally illegal to hunt, harm, capture, or harass the predators.
The law, however, allows them to be killed by special permit when they are deemed to pose a threat to public safety, livestock or other wildlife that are protected as endangered species, such as bighorn sheep.
Under revised regulations issued on Friday by the state Fish and Wildlife Department, property owners and law enforcement officers seeking to protect people, pets or livestock from cougars may kill only one mountain lion with each permit."
Laila Kearney reports for Reuters March 6, 2013.
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