Overview
- The recommendation covers roughly 1,400 lions in the Central Coast and Southern California out of an estimated 4,170 statewide.
- Populations proposed for listing include the Santa Cruz Mountains, Central Coast, Santa Monica Mountains, San Gabriel and San Bernardino Mountains, Santa Ana Mountains, and Eastern Peninsular/Tehachapi ranges.
- State biologists cite habitat fragmentation, freeway barriers, vehicle strikes, exposure to rat poisons and wildfire risk as primary threats.
- Research cited in the review documents inbreeding effects in Southern California and estimates nearly a one-in-four chance of local extinction in the Santa Monica and Santa Ana ranges within 50 years without better connectivity.
- Supporters point to wildlife crossings like the Agoura Hills 101 project to restore gene flow, while critics warn a listing could complicate removals for public safety or livestock losses and add hurdles for development.