As someone who values the diverse wildlife in Wyoming, I believe it's our responsibility to stand up for mountain lions. The legislative proposal to classify these majestic creatures as like predatory threatens to disrupt our ecosystem and the balance of wildlife that we hold dear.

Mountain lions are intrinsic to our ecosystem here in Wyoming. Their presence helps maintain the health of other wildlife populations, contributing to the biodiversity that makes our region unique. However, a recent bill threatens to label these critical creatures as like predators. This classification often leads to unrestricted hunting, which can result in diminished mountain lion populations and disrupted ecosystems.

Numerous studies have shown the crucial role of mountain lions in ecosystem sustenance. For example, a 2020 study by the University of Wyoming suggests that these big cats, also known as cougars, have a 'landscape of fear effect' on mule deer, preventing overgrazing and promoting overall landscape health (University of Wyoming, 2020).

Wyoming is home to an estimated 2,000 mountain lions (wyoming game and fish website ). These creatures are not merely inhabitants of our state; they are essential contributors to our ecosystem. By classifying them as like predators, we ignore their crucial place in our ecological network and pose a serious threat to the biodiversity in our state.

We urge the legislature to consider the potential long-term detrimental effects this bill might have on our ecosystem and to reconsider the designation of mountain lions as like predators. Please sign this petition and join the fight to protect these majestic creatures and maintain the integrity of our Wyoming ecosystem.

This bill HB0286 is in wyoming legislation right now and will allow the trapping of mountain lions with snares, foot holds, and kill traps. Also anyone with a valid hunting licence is able to kill a mountain lion with out a mountain lion license. They will also be allowed to be hunted at night with the use of artificial light as well as thermals, and are able to be killed year around with no quota or regulations on females with kittens. Please sign this so we can stop this bill before it's to late!