Growing up and living in Topanga, I've come to deeply appreciate the beauty and diversity of our wildlife. The Santa Monica Mountains are more than just a national scenic landmark; they're a sanctuary to countless species, an vital ecosystem that plays a crucial role in our environment. Yet, that sanctuary is under threat from a silent killer: rodenticides.

Rodenticides, or rat poisons, are widely used to control rat populations. However, these poisons have far-reaching, devastating effects on non-target wildlife, particularly predatory animals like mountain lions. Scientific studies reveal that exposure to rodenticides leads to significant health issues among these majestic predators, including internal bleeding, immune deficiency, and ultimately, death.

The most poignant evidence of this threat is the recent death of the mountain lion P-47 due to anticoagulant rat poisons. P-47 was one of the largest male mountain lions ever studied in the Santa Monica Mountains. His tragic death highlights the urgent need for legislative action to curb the use of these harmful chemicals.

California has made strides in this area with Assembly Bill 1788, which restricts the use of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) throughout the state. But our region needs more focused protection to safeguard mountain lions and other wildlife specific to the Santa Monica Mountains. We urge local legislators to strengthen these laws and incentivize the adoption of alternative, wildlife-safe pest control methods.
As printed in the Los Angeles Times, dated January 13,2026; the California Department of Rodenticide Ragulation is now proposing  using rodenticide at more than 100,000 new locations statewide
There are practical solutions available. Integrative pest management (IPM) strategies prioritize non-chemical means and consider the ecosystem as a whole—establishing healthier balances that benefit humans and wildlife alike. Encouraging community adoption of these strategies can significantly reduce unintended poisoning of mountain lions and other predators.

Please join me in urging state and local governments to take immediate, decisive action to ban harmful rodenticides in the Santa Monica Mountains. Our wildlife, and indeed the ecological balance of our entire region, depend on us to raise our voices now before it's too late.

Sign this petition to protect our mountain lions and preserve the incredible biodiversity of the Santa Monica Mountains.