Related CDFW Links

• Hunting Program
• Wildlife Investigations Lab
• Conservation Planning Program
• California Endangered Species Act
• Environmental Review and Species Take Permits

Mountain Lions in California

Conservation and Management

CDFW strives to conserve mountain lion populations for their ecological and intrinsic values. To meet this goal, CDFW works to:

1. Maintain genetically diverse and demographically viable populations;
2. Minimize conflicts between mountain lions and humans (e.g. public safety events, property damage);
3. Identify and protect important habitats; and
4. Improve public awareness of mountain lions; and
5. Identify and research emerging issues that threaten mountain lion populations or the habitats upon which they depend.

• FAQ
• 'Keep Me Wild' Campaign

Research

Besides research conducted by CDFW biologists, CDFW is responsible for permitting and overseeing all mountain lion research occurring in California. Qualified individuals, educational institutions, governmental agencies or nongovernmental organizations may apply to CDFW for a permit to conduct scientific research involving mountain lions.

• Mountain Lion Research Permitting
• Currently Approved Mountain Lion Research Projects
• 30-day Public Notices of Authorized Mountain Lion Research Permits
• California Mountain Lion Research Publications

Photos

Nuisance/Public Safety

• Verified Mountain Lion Attacks on Humans in California (from 1986)
• Trends in Mountain Lion Encounters
• Mountain Lion Depredation Statistics
  (Permits Issued and Lions Killed)
  • Number of Depredation Permits Issued (by county)
  • Number of Lions Killed under Authority of Depredation Permit (by county)
  • Statewide Summary
• Human / Wildlife Interactions in California: Mountain Lion Depredation, Public Safety, and Animal Welfare

Specimen Possession/Taxidermy

The passage of the California Wildlife Protection Act of 1990 (Proposition 117) by California voters established that mountain lions are a specially protected mammal in California, and that it is unlawful to possess, transport, import or sell any mountain lion or part or product thereof (including taxidermy mounts). Two exceptions to this law exist:

(1) The possession or sale of any mountain lion part or product is lawful if the owner can demonstrate the mountain lion part or product was in their possession prior to June 6, 1990;

or

(2) The mountain lion carcass, carcass part or product is prepared or being prepared for display, exhibition or storage for scientific or educational purposes at museums, educational institutions or governmental facilities normally open to the public where the mountain lion was taken in accordance with California laws and CDFW has authorized the possession of such parts or products.

Contact the Mountain Lion Program