Wild Side: Killing of mountain lion -- questions and answers Wild Side: Killing of mountain lion -- questions and answers (July 14, 2004)

Rebecca Allen, Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA wildlife services supervisor, answers questions about living with wildlife. E-mail her at rallen@PeninsulaHumaneSociety.org or call 340-7022, ext. 340.

Q. What should people do if they live, work or go to school near a mountain lion sighting? Also, was the Palo Alto police response in the recent shooting and killing of a mountain lion appropriate?

A. The Palo Alto PD was in a no-win situation. Killing the mountain lion was viewed by many as inhumane and unnecessary, yet if they hadn't taken that action and if the mountain lion attacked a child, they would have been vilified for sparing the life of an animal over that of a child.

Netting the animal, in our opinion, would have been nearly impossible. Had a tranquilizer gun been available, that, too, would not guarantee public safety. A tranquilized animal often runs wildly after being hit. This lion could have run through the neighborhood after being tranquilized, maybe into traffic, and suffered a far worse fate or caused a series of far worse events.

We are asking people to report mountain lion sightings to the Department of Fish and Game at 367-7380. Mountain lions are classified as "specially protected mammals," which places them under this agency's purview. If you live near a potentially dangerous wild animal sighting, keep your pets inside, keep dogs on a leash when outside, and keep children under close supervision. But, let's also try to put this in perspective. You are in much more danger whenever you get into your car.

The PHS/SPCA Wildlife Care Center sees 4,000-5,000 native wildlife "patients" each year. Its work is made possible by volunteers and donor contributions.

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