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Cops kill mountain lion. Community outraged.
Video footage reveals a wild mountain lion scaling a fence in a Laredo, Texas neighborhood. Instead of treating this as an opportunity to educate the public about wildlife, the police department took lethal action, with an officer shooting the animal to death.
Published July 17, 2024 at 11:12am by Brandi D. Addison
Police Kill Mountain Lion, Texas Community Outraged
Texans unite to protect mountain lions, but officers kill one in South Texas.
For the first time in over 50 years, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department updated its mountain lion hunting standards, thanks to overwhelming public support. The goal is to better understand and protect these mysterious big cats. However, the community is now outraged after a mountain lion was killed by officers in South Texas last week.
On May 23, people from all walks of life gathered at the commission meeting to support more modern wildlife management practices for mountain lions. The shy nature of these creatures makes it difficult to determine their population and presence.
Ben Masters, Texans for Mountain Lions coalition member, stated:
"Ranchers, trappers, hunters, hippies, outfitters, biologists, and wildlife advocates from across the state all converged to support more respectful management of our cats."
In early July, a mountain lion was spotted in a Laredo neighborhood, a rare occurrence. Despite attempts to contain and relocate the animal, it was fatally shot as it escaped a makeshift cage. The Laredo Police Department described it as a "small space in a backyard," and claimed the mountain lion exhibited "aggression and natural instincts for survival."
The department's Facebook post explained:
"We were hoping for a better outcome but were left with no choice due to the potential danger the surrounding neighborhood would have been exposed to if the feline escaped..."
However, many criticized the police department's actions, calling them a "disgrace." While some commended the priority placed on public protection, others faulted the city and local wildlife officials for their handling of the situation, pleading for them to "do better."
One commenter wrote:
"It's a disgrace to live in a city where the authorities responsible for wildlife management do not have the necessary tools (tranquilizer darts) to rescue the endemic fauna of the area or handle an emergency event..."
Mountain lions are rarely seen in Texas, primarily inhabiting remote regions like the Trans-Pecos and the western Hill Country. There has never been a confirmed death in Texas caused by a mountain lion. Attacks are uncommon, as these big cats are secretive by nature.
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