California's Mountain Lions Declared Threatened

Mountain lions across California, from the Santa Cruz Mountains to the southern regions, have officially been classified as threatened under the state's Endangered Species Act. This crucial designation follows a recent vote by the California Fish and Game Commission, aiming to provide enhanced habitat protections for these vulnerable big cats. Advocates highlight that habitat fragmentation, caused by freeways and development, has severely limited genetic diversity. This isolation leads to inbreeding, resulting in birth defects and pushing populations toward extinction. The classification aims to address these critical survival challenges for mountain lions throughout the state.