Overview
- The California Fish and Game Commission voted unanimously on Feb. 12 to list distinct puma groups in the Santa Cruz, Central Coast, Santa Monica, San Gabriel, San Bernardino, Santa Ana and Eastern Peninsular ranges as threatened under the state Endangered Species Act.
- State agencies must now evaluate and reduce project impacts in these habitats, a shift expected to prioritize connectivity measures such as wildlife crossings and strengthen mitigation through environmental review.
- A state review estimates roughly 4,172 mountain lions statewide and about 947 within the listed regions, with key risks including habitat fragmentation, vehicle strikes, rodenticide exposure and wildfire.
- Scientists have documented genetic warning signs in isolated southern populations, including kinked tails and reproductive defects, raising extinction risk without restored movement between ranges.
- Wildlife officials retain authority to issue case-by-case management permits for public safety and livestock conflicts, and the commission will finalize formal findings at a subsequent meeting.