Colorado Looks To Ban Trophy Hunting Of Big Cats within The State

​worldanimalnews.com/critical-new-bill-just-introduced-in-colorado-will-protect-mountian-lions-bobcats-canadian-lynx-from-trophy-hunting-throughout-the-state/

Senate Bill 32 was introduced last week and aims to protect bobcats, mountain lions, and Canadian Lynx from being shot and killed for hunting "trophies". The bill would ban the hunting of big cats within the state, recognizing their significance and the role they play in a healthy ecosystem. Despite nearly 72% of Colorado citizens being opposed to the hunting of big cats for trophies, there are hundreds of them slaughtered for sport every year. 

The bill would ban the slaughter of mountain lions, bobcats, and Canadian Lynx, and would also extend continued protections to the Canadian Lynx should it be removed from the Endangered Species List. The senators involved in the introduction of Bill 32 have spoken out about the needlessness of slaughtering big cats and the damage it does to their ecosystem. 

"We live in Colorado so that we may co-exist with these creatures, not kill them for sport."
--Senator Joann Ginal

"We do not need to be hunting these gorgeous animals for sport in our state."
--Senator Sonya Jaquez Lewis

Extending the protections to the Canadian Lynx if it loses ESA status is one of my favourite parts of this bill because it recognizes the importance of the Canadian Lynx and their survival. However, within the bill there were exemptions that included shooting and killing an injured animal, protecting a civilian, or killing them to protect livestock. Y'all know how I feel about killing wild predators to protect livestock right? It's time to beef up the barriers so that there's no chance of a livestock conflict instead of allowing them to be shot and killed for their natural predatory ways. Livestock are easy targets, especially considering their confinement, so I'd think it would be more reasonable to look at ways to beef up security rather than to permit their slaughter for getting too close / killing livestock.

Regardless, Senate Bill 32 must pass in order to stop the needless killing of Colorado's diverse big cat population. I will update the story as more information becomes available.

HAPPY VEG