Opinion OPINION | Jun 20, 2024
Many Vail area residents assume a beautiful, recreationally-minded state like Colorado would never tolerate cruelty to wildlife. But we do, still allowing recreational lion killing that is done by sending out packs of radio-collared dogs to chase frightened, possibly pregnant, mountain lions into trees to shoot them for a display of personal trophies. We also allow a handful of trappers to make money from selling bobcat furs sent to China and Russia. This is our shared wildlife being abused and mistreated.
Sport killing lions doesn’t offer anything positive for Colorado. World-renowned mountain lion researcher, Maurice Hornocker, in his book, “Cougars on the Cliff,” states, “Mountain lions regulate their own numbers and actually help prey animals maintain or increase their population numbers.” California has not allowed the sport killing of lions in a half-century: its lion populations are “stable.” Nature, not trophy hunting, takes care of healthy lion populations. We have only about 4,000 mountain lions in existence here in Colorado, threatened by the extreme cold of recent winters, wildfires, and vehicle deaths. Of course, their No. 1 threat is trophy hunting. If we stop trophy hunting, lions stand the best chance at survival and maintaining stable populations for future generations.
The proposed ballot initiative, called Cats Aren’t Trophies, does not change existing regulations concerning problem mountain lions — it only eliminates unethical and cruel hunting practices. Colorado voters consistently agree with these conclusions; our laws and Colorado Parks and Wildlife need to better align with public opinion and eliminate trophy hunting.
My hiking friends and I love to watch wildlife, to photograph wild creatures, and to live in a state where mountain lions thrive. The ballot initiative is an important step to protect our shared wildlife. Please sign the petition and help gather signatures.
Katie Dolan
Edwards
Committee to Abolish Sport Hunting Blog 