'They did their best,' witness says of mountain lion capture
It was the barking dogs that woke the neighbors on Beaver Way in La Verne on Tuesday morning. But instead of a stray cat or errant raccoon, they found a young male mountain lion lying quietly on the wall that shields their yards from the 210 Freeway.
"He was big," said Ed Dominguez, who got close enough to snap this photo. "He seemed intrigued by us, just lying there and watching. The dogs got close and he didn't do anything, didn't move."
Dominguez thinks the big cat, which authorities say was 9 to 14 months old, walked down a wash that leads from the hills to a nearby elementary school. After that, it was just a short climb up a tree, then a hop onto the sound wall.
A neighbor called police, who then called the Department of Fish and Game. The animal, which was shot with a tranquilizer dart, died as it was being transported back into the hills.
"Everyone did their best," Dominguez said. "They really tried to save him."
-- Veronique de Turenne
Photo: Ed Dominguez
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I know a number of Fish and Game staff that respond to wildlife instances such as the lion described in the article. I have seen the sadness and great respect these folks exhibit for the animals that they they work with. They do not take on the job for love of killing things. A decision to dispatch an animal is always the last option. The staff involved in this instance obviously were trying their best to save the lion. It is not easy working with dangerous animals such lions and bears.
John
Anderson
Posted by: John Anderson | May 12, 2008 at 10:06 AM
As a wildlife veterinarian with a lot of experience tranquilizing mountain lions and working with California Fish and Game, I would remind people that any anesthesia has difficulties and risks of complications or death. This includes anesthesia of humans where conditions are well controlled and there is good knowledge of the underlying health of the patient - situations that are not present when dealing with wild animals. Though I don't have any first hand knowledge of this particular attempt to capture and move the lion, there is no doubt in my mind that the Fish and Game personnel did all they could to have a successful outcome and to have a healthy lion be back in the wild where it should be. They should be commended for making the attempt in a situation wherein there are risks to both people and the animal no matter what course they take.
Posted by: Winston Vickers | May 11, 2008 at 01:14 PM
"Did their best"??? I am sure they all went out for drinks and got excited as they talked about their guns and other hunts. And we pay their wages. Someone obviously doesn't know what they're doing. "Maybe this is the right dosage and, if not, I got me another prize"!
Posted by: BryanN | May 09, 2008 at 03:49 PM
That would suck if we were shot with tranquilizer darts every time we went into the wilderness areas.
Posted by: RyDOGG | May 09, 2008 at 03:27 PM
Rare?
Posted by: Malby | May 09, 2008 at 02:56 PM
"Everyone did their best'???
Come on, how does a mountain lion die from a tranquilizer dart? A little overdose? Possibly a lethal dart? It's sad....so sad to lose such a rare animal.
Posted by: Burticus | May 09, 2008 at 02:22 PM
I probably would have done the same thing but I don't think I would advise the authorities to use so much heavy medication unless the animal actually harmed a human. Although I understand the risks that were apparent at that timebut honestly, that's just cruelty to animals, MAAAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Chequira Harrison | May 09, 2008 at 01:54 PM