Threatened local mountain lions win new protections … for now

With threats growing for mountain lion populations in Southern California and beyond, the state Fish and Game Commission on Thursday, April 16, took a key vote that gives the cats temporary protective status in six geographic areas — including the Santa Ana, Santa Monica, San Gabriel and San Bernardino mountains.
The vote also launches a year-long study by the Department of Fish and Wildlife to assess the accuracy of claims and scientific data indicating that the animals in these mountain