It Is Time to Stop Killing Colorado’s Mountain Lions and Bobcats

By: Pat Craig of the Wild Animal Sanctuary

The time has come for us to put an end to the cruel and senseless slaughter of Colorado’s magnificent mountain lions and bobcats. Colorado voters have a new and incredible opportunity to save thousands of innocent lives — while at the same time — bringing an end to one of the cruelest and most cowardly practices that I have ever witnessed.

I have been rescuing big cats for decades, and from the most horrific cruelty at the hands of humans for no good reason, and make no mistake, chasing lions with dogs to shoot them in trees, and trapping and skinning bobcats to sell their fur is excessive cruelty.

There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the Cats Aren’t Trophies ballot measure will enable us to take a major step in the right direction. This new initiative, when passed in November by the voters of Colorado, will bring an end to the trophy hunting of Mountain Lions, while still allowing for the necessary control of problem animals that threaten human safety or livestock.

Let’s be clear: mountain lions and bobcats are not a food source as many callous individuals like to suggest. Instead, they are hunted for their heads and beautiful coats. This practice is extremely outdated, completely wasteful, and simply barbaric.

Trophy hunters, who are often wealthy outsiders, come to Colorado in order to hire guides and unleash packs of dogs to chase and harass these innocent animals to their demise. It’s a cowardly and inhumane practice that guarantees a kill, regardless of the animal’s age or sex. This is not hunting; it’s exploitation!

Contrary to popular belief, mountain lions are essential to our ecosystem. They play a vital role in regulating deer and elk populations and helping to prevent the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease. Tragically, trophy hunters disproportionately target female lions, which causes vulnerable kittens to be orphaned and left to fend for themselves – often leading to starvation or death. It’s time for us to put an end to this senseless killing! Let’s protect our wildlife and ensure a healthy ecosystem for generations to come. Vote yes on this measure.

More than four decades ago, Pat Craig had an audacious idea to rescue exotic animals living in inhumane conditions in the United States. Today, you can visit more than 750 rescued lions, tigers, bears, and mustangs at The Wild Animal Sanctuary’s four facilities located in Colorado and Texas. The Wild Animal Sanctuary totals over 33,000 acres of safe haven for more than 750 large carnivores — think lions, tigers, and grizzly bears, along with mountain lions, wolves, jaguars, cheetahs, and many other species — rescued from abusive or illegal conditions. He is a trusted messenger on wild cats of Colorado and CATs is grateful for his leadership and vision.