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The Nevada Wildlife Commission rejects petition to protect mountain lions, reform trapping regulations

Image of a mountain lion paw caught in a metal leghold trap. The Nevada wildlife commission rejects petition to update trapping regulations to protect mountain lions.

Image courtesy of Nevada Wildlife Alliance.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 25, 2024

Wildlife Commission leaves mountain lions unprotected, denies petition to update trapping regulations

Nevada’s trappers will continue to have 96 hours to check traps

RENO, Nev.—Today, The Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners voted to deny a petition that sought to change trapping regulations to protect mountain lions from injury and death. The petition–which was brought by the Nevada Wildlife Alliance, WildEarth Guardians, and several citizens–included eight recommended changes to Nevada’s trapping regulations based on the best available science, professional trapper advice, and public polling. Ten commissioners representing hunting and agriculture interests voted against the petition.

“This decision is a missed opportunity to bring Nevada’s wildlife policies in line with science and public values,” said Michelle Lute, PhD in wildlife management and executive director of Wildlife for All. “Mountain lions are vital to maintaining healthy ecosystems, yet the Commission has once again prioritized the narrow interests of a dwindling minority over ecological integrity and the broad public interest. By rejecting this modest, science-based petition, the Commission not only undermines Nevada’s natural heritage but also fails in its responsibility to conserve and protect wildlife for future generations.”

During commissioner discussion, none of the eight recommendations were meaningfully considered by any commissioners.

“Nevadans are so used to this commission failing to take public concerns and wildlife science seriously that this isn’t a surprise. Nevada’s trapping regulations will continue to be the worst in the West until someone steps up,” said Chris Smith, wildlife program director for WildEarth Guardians. “Mountain lions, other native species, and people and pets clearly don’t matter compared to the tiny minority of Nevadans who trap.”

A 2023 poll found that 67% of Nevadans believe that 96 hours between trap check intervals is too long and needs to be shortened.

“In the big picture of wildlife stewardship, these changes were very modest and common-sense, and they could have been implemented easily to help bring Nevada more in line with other Western states,” stated R. Brent Lyles, executive director of the Mountain Lion Foundation. “We’re very disappointed that the Commission decided to allow this ongoing and needless violence against Nevada’s native cats to continue.”

According to state data from just nine years (2002-2004, 2007, 2010-2015), even though mountain lion trapping is illegal in Nevada, at least 278 mountain lions were caught in traps that were set for other animals. Eleven of those lions were injured and 24 died. Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) data indicate that not all trappers report their non-target catches. The actual number of lions that have been killed or injured due to Nevada’s trapping regulations is unknown, and is likely significantly higher.

Mountain lions are Nevada’s only extant apex carnivore, and studies show that species like lions have substantial and measurable benefits for ecosystems including river-corridor health, increased biodiversity, disease control, and even carbon sequestration.  

The petition recommended shortening the trap check window to 24 hours in accordance with recommendations from the American Association of Wildlife Veterinarians. The window is currently 96 hours, which is the longest in the continental American West. Other recommendations included limiting trap sizes, requiring trap-chain swivels, prohibiting drags (attaching traps to rocks, logs, or other moveable objects), and requiring trapper education.

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