"SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS The Santa Cruz Mountains are home to plenty of iconic species, from banana slugs to redwood trees. But the king of the mountains, reigning over rabbits and black-tailed deer, is the mountain lion. Around 50 pumas patrol the forested areas of Santa Cruz County, occasionally startling people by showing up in towns or suburban areas. The big cats, a keystone species in the mountains, keep deer populations in check, maintain ecosystem balance and are considered icons in many mountain communities."
"To ensure the long-term survival of mountain lions, the California Fish and Game Commission is slated to vote to list the animals as endangered under the California Endangered Species Act at a meeting this month. RELATED: California is natural habitat for mountain lions. Here's what to do if you encounter one In California, mountain lions face increasing dangers rat poison infiltrates their food and water sources and cars on freeways can strike the creatures down."
Approximately 50 mountain lions patrol the forested Santa Cruz Mountains and function as a keystone species that controls deer populations and maintains ecosystem balance. Major threats include habitat fragmentation from freeways that isolate populations and reduce reproductive opportunities, rat poison contaminating food and water, and vehicle strikes on freeways. Temporary protections were enacted in 2020 for six imperiled populations, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife recommended making those protections permanent in December 2025. The California Fish and Game Commission is scheduled to vote on endangered listing at a Feb. 11–12 meeting to support long-term survival.
#mountain-lions #santa-cruz-mountains #endangered-species #habitat-fragmentation #wildlife-conservation
Read at www.santacruzsentinel.com
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