Threatened by overhunting and poor policies, Utah's cougars need our help!
Help us save Utah's cougars!
Utah’s mountain lions are once again facing serious pressure.
In recent legislative sessions, proposals have advanced that would expand predator control, increase cougar hunting quotas, and prioritize short-term game management strategies over long-term ecosystem health. At the same time, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources has continued to authorize high permit numbers and aggressive removals in certain regions — despite scientific evidence showing that reducing cougar populations does not reliably lead to long-term increases in mule deer and can disrupt ecosystem balance.
These decisions matter.
When cougar populations are pushed beyond sustainable levels, it can destabilize social structures, increase conflict, and ultimately undermine the very wildlife management goals these policies aim to achieve.
That is why the Mountain Lion Foundation is actively engaged in Utah.
With staff and partners working in and around Salt Lake City, we are:
- Monitoring legislative proposals and wildlife board decisions
- Providing science-based testimony at RAC and Wildlife Board meetings
- Engaging communities on coexistence and conflict prevention
- Working with livestock and domestic animal owners on proactive solutions
- Supporting field monitoring and public education efforts
Your support powers this work.
Because of you, mountain lions in Utah have a voice in policy discussions that too often overlook science and long-term ecological health. And as pressure on predators intensifies, that voice is more important than ever.
Together, we can ensure Utah’s lions remain part of a healthy, balanced landscape.
Sincerely,
Ellen C. O'Connell
Executive Director
Mountain Lion Foundation