Overview
- Rogan made the claims on his December 16 podcast while speaking with hunters Cameron Hanes and Adam Greentree, arguing that Democratic-run states do too little to manage predators.
- He cited a Bay Area analysis he described as finding mountain lions’ diet to be 50% dogs and cats and asserted that pets are being actively hunted.
- California remains the only state that bans sport hunting of mountain lions, though residents can obtain depredation permits when animals kill or injure pets or livestock.
- State and academic sources report an overall population decline, including a UC Davis estimate of about 4,500 lions in 2024 and California wildlife data showing a downward trend.
- Governor Gavin Newsom pushed back by urging Rogan to invite him on the show to address the criticisms.