Roars of Protest at Cougar’s Killing

I was sickened when I read that the Department of Fish and Game made the decision to kill the female mountain lion that was determined to be a threat to public safety at Caspers Park (Jan. 2).

Why didn’t the women with the children threatened have the good sense to take their kids and leave the park instead? How many mountain lions are they going to kill in the interest of public safety?

I’m sorry, but let’s close Caspers Park to kids. I have three kids, ages 9, 10 and 14, and they can wait until they’re older. The animals were there first.

JENNIFER HARNEY

Aliso Viejo

* What is a wilderness park if not a haven for our wildlife? When visiting such a facility, it is we who must comply with the laws of nature and be aware that with this comes risk. For an animal (especially one as endangered as the California mountain lion) to be hunted and murdered for behaving in a natural and instinctual manner is not acceptable! If we fear for the safety of our children, then why were alternatives not sought? Why not reimpose the ban on children in this park, which has served us well for the last 11 years? Why not consider relocation of this animal to a more remote area?

As we continue to encroach on our wildlife, occurrences such as that which led to the death of this animal will become more common. We can continue to kill every creature that offends our sensibilities until none are left, or we can accept the responsibility to maintain our parks and wilderness areas for the preservation of wildlife and the enjoyment of future (responsible) generations.

M. EVAN PARKER

Trabuco Canyon

* Once again I shake my head in sadness over the relentless extermination of animals that do not fit into our little box of acceptability.

If I don’t want you in my home, I have the right to refuse to let you in. If you come in anyway, I have the right to throw you out. You do not have the right to kill me for it.

The wilderness is the cougar’s home. We barge in uninvited and kill it for protesting. Instead of killing the cougar in its own home, I say we stay out of its home--or accept the consequences.

LAURRA MADDOCK

Laguna Niguel

* As a frequent user of our county parks, I have been following the recent mountain lion encounters with interest.

Opening or closing parks is not the issue that needs addressing. Caspers is not our only wilderness area and not the only park with lion sightings. There are frequent sightings (many of them confirmed) and encounters at O’Neill, Whiting Ranch, Laguna Wilderness and Santiago Oaks parks.

The California Department of Fish and Game has received sightings and encounters from persons observing lion activity in suburban residential areas of Orange County. Even if the park is closed, under-age persons will breach the rule and enter.

Currently, 14- to 17-year-olds freely roam our wilderness parks on foot and especially on bicycles despite signs saying they are not to be there and continued enforcement by the park staff.

Most have permission from their parents, who feel the rule is not needed. Many bring their children into the park and let them run off the trail and ahead of the adults. This will lead to another encounter with dire consequences.

I personally have seen only one lion and that was in the parking lot at Carbon Canyon several years ago. This was a confirmed sighting. The lions are really everywhere.

The lions are in the park and the parks are here to protect our natural resources; hence, the lions have first privilege. Residents need to accept that there will be encounters and be educated on what to do.

When we occasionally have a lion that becomes too aggressive it will need to be removed. Parents need to monitor their minor children and take responsibility when they break the rules.

If we do not want to share our natural resources with the lion on the lion’s terms, then we need to rethink the utilization policies for our wilderness parks. This is what the county supervisors should be spending their energies on.

BARBARA MUIRHEAD

Garden Grove