Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Missouri State Senator Joseph Keaveny

Some may know and some may not.

I have been working hard for some time to change minds concerning an animal that gets little respect due to fear and ignorance here in Missouri. The Mountain Lion.

All I have put into it has come down to opposing a Bill before the Missouri State Senate. Bill SB738 would allow the killing of Mountain Lions for any reason. A bill to destroy a magnificent cat.

A bill must go before a Senate Commitee for review before a vote. The public hearing is today and I am unable to voice my opposition to this Bill.

I was left basically legally blind about a month ago due to the sudden onset of cataracts. I have had one sucessful surgery and will have another Thursday. Due to this it is unsafe for me to drive.

Can you imagine how low I felt not being able to speak for the Mountain Lion ?

I contacted my State Senator Joseph Keaveny via email letting him know of my current condition. I sent him the statement I had prepared.

Very shortly after, I recieved a response from Senator Keaveny assuring me that he would have my statement delivered to the commitee holding the public hearing.

Wow!! Words cannot express my gratitude to Senator Keaveny ! Thank you so much !

To have a State Senator step up and ensure the concerns of one of his constituents is addressed speaks volumes about Senator Keaveny's character. Hard-working, honorable , concerned, and a man who will act on his constituents behalf are in my description.

Thank you again,Senator !
Craig Lanham
St. Louis,Missouri

Senator Keaveny's Missouri State Senate website....

http://www.senate.mo.gov/12info/members/mem04.htm

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Oppose Missouri SB738 !

The favorable consideration of this bill would continue to do damage to an intregal part of Missouri's eco-system. The Mountain Lion was stripped of State endangered species status in 2006. SB738 would not only take the Mountain Lions last piece of protection, but would make it a target for destruction in Missouri. 

Mountain lions are an integral part of a healthy Missouri ecosystem.
To single out a specific species of wildlife for destruction harks of a time that the killing of wildlife drove species to the edge of extinction such as the American Bison. Some species such as the Passenger Pigeon were shot from the sky forever. Keystone Species such as Mountain Lions are crucial in the balance and health of our environment.
The Wildlife and natural resources in the State of Missouri were so devastated by the 1920s that the citizens made conservation and the forming of a conservation department a part of their State Constitution. This happened with great fore thought by the leaders of the times.

This selfless act made way for Missouri to better educate its' citizens and the understanding of ecology has grown by leaps and bounds. Keystone Species such as Mountain Lions are crucial in the balance and health of our environment. The preservation and conservation of declining wild cat populations has become an important international issue. The State of Missouri can easily become an international leader in the conservation of the Worlds' wild cats by choosing to be proud of having these amazing animals in its' borders. This would include effective conservation management, that encourages a well rounded and healthy eco-system.

The Missouri Department of Conservation is already engaging in effective mountain lion species management.
The Missouri Department of Conservation has been innovative in its' approach to Mountain Lions with the formation of a Mountain Lion Response Team. The Missouri Department of Conservation is more than capable of handling the Conservation of Mountain Lions.


Fear, ignorance, and myth feeds hatred towards mountain lions. As well as untruths in rumours and folklore.
More honest and factual information is more available on African Lions, and the Worlds Tigers than on Americas' amazing cat.
The Mountain Lion also called Cougar, Puma, Panther, and various other names has been misrepresented in our society and deserves a truthful view. Other States such as Arizona, Florida, and California are proud of their Mountain Lions and manage them effectively.

Truths about Mountain Lions can be found through organizations that work to conserve and truthfully inform everyone about one of the most beautiful creatures that exsist in America.

The Missouri Department of Conservation/Mountain Lion Response Team.

The Mountain Lion Foundation, who opposes SB738

The Cougar Rewilding Foundation, who opposes SB738

The Cougar Fund, who opposes SB738

The Felidae Conservation Fund, who opposes SB738

The BI-Stat Wildlife Hotline, who opposes SB738



Contact: Craig Lanham

Telephone:314-882-9763
Email: shortleafpine@hotmail.com

http://www.change.org/petitions/the-governor-of-mo-stop-sb738-allowing-for-the-killing-of-mountain-lions-for-any-reas

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

SB 738 Would allow the killing of Mountain Lions for any reason.

Grassroots campaign aims to stop bill SB738 that will enable anyone in the State of Missouri to kill Mountain Lions for any reason.

New bill introduced to Missouri State Senate threatens mountain lions.
A new grassroots campaign, spearheaded by an online petition at Change.org titled " The Governor of MO: Stop SB738 allowing for the killing of Mountain Lions for any reason." The petition is quickly gathering momentum, seeks to stop the passing of a kill-mountain-lions-for-any-reason bill. The petition is objecting to SB738 that has been introduced to the Missouri State Senate floor by Missouri State Senator Bill Stouffer. This bill would allow for the killing of Mountain Lions by anyone for any reason. The Mountain Lion was stripped of State endangered species status in 2006. SB738 would not only take the Mountain Lions last piece of protection, but would make it a target for destruction in Missouri.

Mountain lions are an integral part of a healthy Missouri ecosystem.
To single out a specific species of wildlife for destruction harks of a time that the killing of wildlife drove species to the edge of extinction such as the American Bison. Some species such as the Passenger Pigeon were shot from the sky forever. The Wildlife and natural resources in the State of Missouri were so devastated by the 1920's that the citizens made conservation and the forming of a conservation department a part of their State Constitution.
Times have changed and the understanding of ecology has grown by leaps and bounds. Keystone Species such as Mountain Lions are crucial in the balance and health of our environment. The preservation and conservation of declining wild cat populations has become an important international issue.

MDC is already engaging in effective mountain lion species management.
The Missouri Department of Conservation has been innovative in its' approach to Mountain Lions with the formation of a Mountain Lion Response Team. The Missouri Department of Conservation is more than capable of handling the Conservation of Mountain Lions.


Fear and myth feeds hatred towards mountain lions – education is key.
Myths and untruths exsist about Mountains Lions. Information on African Lions and the Worlds Tigers is more available than on Americas' amazing cat.
The Mountain Lion also called Cougar, Puma and various other names has been misrepresented in our society and deserves a truthful view. Other States such as Arizona and California are proud of their Mountain Lions and manage them effectively
Truths about Mountain Lions can be found through organizations that work to conserve and truthfully inform everyone about one of the most beautiful creatures that exsist in America.

The Missouri Department of Conservation/Mountain Lion Response Team.

The Mountain Lion Foundation

The Cougar Rewilding Foundation

The Cougar Fund

The Felidae Conservation Fund

The BI-State Wildlife hotline

Missouri voters can stop this bill by contacting their State Senator and signing a the petition.
Missouri residents who value all species including the Mountain Lion and their place in our ecosystem are encouraged to learn more about their Mountain Lion and the important role they have in our ecosystem. I also encourage them to contact their Missouri State Senator, Missouri State Representative, and the Honorable Jay Nixon to voice their disgust at SB738 and to sign the petition at Change.org titled "The Governor of MO: Stop SB738 allowing for the killing of Mountain Lions for any reason "


Contact: Craig Lanham

http://www.change.org/petitions/the-governor-of-mo-stop-sb738-allowing-for-the-killing-of-mountain-lions-for-any-reason

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Please sign this petition.. http://www.change.org/petitions/the-governor-of-mo-stop-sb738-allowing-for-the-killing-of-mountain-lions-for-any-reason

Why This Is Important
SB738 has been introduced to the Missouri State Senate floor by Missouri State Senator Bill Stouffer that would allow for the killing of Mountain Lions by anyone for any reason. The Mountain Lion was stripped of State endangered species status in 2006. SB738 would not only take the Mountain Lions last piece of protection, but would make it a target for destruction in Missouri.
To single out a specific species of wildlife for destruction harks of a time that the killing of wildlife drove species to the edge of extinction such as the American Bison. Some species such as the Passenger Pigeon were shot from the sky forever.
Times have changed and the understanding of ecology has grown by leaps and bounds. Keystone Species such as Mountain Lions are crucial in the balance and health of our environment. The preservation and conservation of declining wild cat populations has become an important international issue.
The Missouri Department of Conservation has been innovative in its' approach to Mountain Lions with the formation of a Mountain Lion Response Team. The Missouri Department of Conservation is more than capable of handling the Conservation of Mountain Lions

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Monday, February 6, 2012

Killing Mountain Lions in Missouri

Missouri State Senator Bill Stouffer has introduced SB 738 on the Missouri Senate floor. The bill would allow anyone in Missouri to kill a Mountain Lion for any reason. Mountain Lions are recolonizing Missouri after the last one was killed in the 1920's. Some say they have never left. In 2006 Mountain Lions were stripped of their state endangered species status offering them little protection. SB738 will promote killing them like vermin through out Missouri. Who is willing to stand up with me and say this is wrong? The picture was taken South of Flagstaff, AZ. It was at a highway rest stop.  Arizona boasts of it's Mountain Lions. Missouri should take lessons.