Friends of Animals (FoA) has called upon Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano to instruct the Game and Fish Department to stop the mountain lion hunt currently underway in Sabino Canyon.

The region, managed by the Forest Service, has been closed to hikers and others while hunter-trackers from the Arizona Game and Fish Department shoot four or more mountain lions imagined to present a threat to hikers and joggers in the popular recreational area. Wildlife managers report that if mountain lions are located they will be killed, simply because they have been seen during daylight hours, and appear to not fear humans.

According to FoA Spokesperson Bill Dollinger, “Sabino Canyon is wildlife habitat, and the situation calls for the management of people. These mountain lions are under attack simply because they have not run away from humans. No one has been attacked. According to the Forest Service, hikers have been killed and injured falling into the canyon. No one has proposed filling up the canyon with dirt to prevent that from happening.”

According to the Arizona Game & Fish Department, Sabino Canyon is prime mountain lion habitat. If these mountain lions are killed, others will move into the territory and a precedent for killing animals that dare to be seen in the daylight will be routine. No one has ever been attacked by a mountain lion in Sabino Canyon.

Friends of Animals has called upon Governor Janet Napolitano to immediately halt the mountain lion hunt, and protect the public by closing access to any potentially dangerous regions of Sabino Canyon.

Please call Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano and urge her to immediately halt the mountain lion hunt,and protect the public by closing access to any potentially dangerous regions of Sabino Canyon.

The Honorable Janet Napolitano Governor of Arizona
1700 West Washington
Phoenix, Arizona 85007
Telephone: 602-542-4331
Fax: 602-542-1381
Email: azgov@az.gov