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
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