Mr. Peterson complained about the local mountain lions (Lion at the Gate, Aug. 29, Letters to the Editor). He claims they are a threat to humans and is unhappy that the NPS will not move the lions out of the area.
Firstly, I don’t believe that the mountains lions are much of a threat. Except for very rare incidents where a lion has been surprised with its cubs or food or cornered, they seem to generally avoid contact with humans. The problem, if one exists, appears to have been created by Mr. Peterson. He established his home in lion country and then stocked it with lion food (dogs). If he wants a secure (at least from lions) fenced yard with dogs he should move to the city. The lions don’t identify people as food. But they do go after small and medium sized four-legged creatures.
Mr. Peterson relates that a lion passed nearby him, stayed for a few minutes but basically ignored him. The lion did not eat him or threaten him. Mr. Peterson should have been thrilled to have experienced such a sight. Few are so lucky.
This is the old conflict being played out again. First we invade the lion’s home and then want the lions exterminated. That leads to the bears having no deer carcasses (left by the lions) to eat so they become a problem and must be killed. The deer and the coyotes became too numerous because the lions are gone so we have to kill them. And so it goes.
I have lived in the mountains for 40 years right next to parkland. The lions come and go. Sometimes they eat some of our livestock. We can live with that. We are here to enjoy the wildlife. This is a place for wildlife, not dogs. The dogs are the worst predators of all. If they aren’t chasing the wildlife away, they engage in endless barking. If a person can’t share the land with the creatures, then he should leave.
Douglas Richardson