Colorado's Wild Cats Face a Crucial Vote: The Battle to End Trophy Hunting
CATs Coalition Rallies 188,000 Signatures to Protect Mountain Lions, Bobcats, and Lynx from Inhumane Killing Practices
In a significant move to protect Colorado's wild cats, the Cats Aren't Trophies (CATs) coalition has successfully submitted 188,000 signatures to the Secretary of State, far surpassing the 124,238 required to place their initiative on the November 2024 ballot. This measure aims to halt the trophy hunting of mountain lions, bobcats, and lynx, practices that have long been criticized for their inhumanity and ecological disruption.
Pat Craig, founder of The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg, Colorado, likened the current trophy hunting practices to "shooting into a crowd" under the guise of targeting problem animals. He emphasized that the CATs measure would still allow Colorado Parks and Wildlife and ranchers to manage lions posing actual threats to human safety or livestock, but would end the indiscriminate killing of these majestic creatures for sport.
The Opposition
The opposition to the CATs initiative is primarily funded by regional chapters of Safari Club International, an organization known for its hunting achievement awards that incentivize the killing of rare and beautiful animals. The Safari Club's controversial practices, such as raffling off a trophy lion hunt in Colorado, have drawn widespread condemnation from animal welfare advocates.
The Proponents
In stark contrast to the opposition’s view, Kenneth Ramsey, a volunteer from Douglas County, highlighted the extreme nature of trophy hunting in Colorado, comparing it to the infamous Cecil the Lion case involving a Safari Club hunter who shot and killed an African lion in 2015 near Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park. That incident garnered international outrage and brought significant attention to the ethics of trophy hunting. Ramsey stressed that these American lions are not mere trophies for hunters to mount on their walls.
The Initiative
The CATs initiative addresses several critical issues, including the orphaning of lion kittens. Mountain lions can mate year-round, and their offspring remain dependent on their mothers for up to 18 months. Retired Colonel Thomas Pool, a senior veterinarian with Animal Wellness Action, explained that the current hunting practices lead to substantial orphaning, as hunters cannot distinguish between males and females when using packs of dogs to chase and kill the lions.
The measure also seeks to protect bobcats and lynx from commercial trapping and trophy hunting. Trappers kill between 1,000 and 2,000 bobcats annually, often selling their pelts to foreign markets. The CATs initiative would ensure that lynx, currently protected under state and federal law, retain their protected status even if those restrictions are lifted in the future.
Support for the CATs initiative spans a broad spectrum of Coloradans, including hunters, veterinarians, and wildlife conservationists. Deanna Meyer, owner of Bell Meadow Farm, emphasized that she can protect her livestock with guard dogs and secure enclosures, and that true wildlife conservation values the role of territorial lions in the ecosystem.
Dr. Christine Capaldo, a veterinarian in southwestern Colorado, recounted her vow to end the suffering of bobcats after learning of a local bobcat's brutal death in a trap. This sentiment is echoed by Josh Rosenau, Director of Policy & Advocacy with the Mountain Lion Foundation, who argued that sport hunting disrupts the natural balance and leads to increased human-wildlife conflicts.
The CATs initiative has garnered nearly 100 endorsements from animal welfare and wildlife conservation organizations. Jim Keen, an infectious disease expert and former USDA staff member, highlighted the ecological benefits of mountain lions, which help control the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease among deer and elk populations.
The CATs coalition's efforts reflect a growing recognition of the need for ethical hunting practices and the protection of Colorado's wild cats. As the state prepares for the November ballot, the debate over trophy hunting is set to intensify, with the future of these iconic animals hanging in the balance.
Call to Action
As the November 2024 ballot approaches, the CATs coalition urges all Coloradans to consider the ethical and ecological implications of trophy hunting. By voting in favor of the CATs initiative, residents can ensure the protection of mountain lions, bobcats, and lynx, preserving Colorado's natural heritage for future generations. Join the movement to end inhumane hunting practices and support a balanced, sustainable ecosystem.
For those looking to support this effort, the Cats Aren’t Trophies (CATs) coalition is the leading organization driving this initiative. The coalition includes nearly 100 wildlife and animal welfare organizations, as well as support from hunters, humane societies, veterinarians, and veterans across the state. To get involved or contribute, visit the CATs coalition's official website.
Ed Boks is a former Executive Director of the New York City, Los Angeles, and Maricopa County Animal Care & Control Departments. He is available for consultations. His work has been published in the LA Times, New York Times, Newsweek, Real Clear Policy, Sentient Media, and now on Animal Politics with Ed Boks.
Trophy hunting anywhere on the planet 🌎 should be banned. There are other ways to protect livestock at risk as you mentioned. Thank you!😊
Canned hunts…..safari experiences…..are an abomination. I will DEFINITELY vote for this amendment…..if I don’t vote for anything else, I will vote to end this brutality against these magnificent creatures! Thanks for the article Ed!