{"id":8712541,"date":"2023-01-11T11:19:08","date_gmt":"2023-01-11T19:19:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.eastbaytimes.com\/?p=8712541&preview=true&preview_id=8712541"},"modified":"2023-01-11T11:27:26","modified_gmt":"2023-01-11T19:27:26","slug":"lion-kills-27-lambs-near-lower-lake","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.eastbaytimes.com\/2023\/01\/11\/lion-kills-27-lambs-near-lower-lake\/","title":{"rendered":"Mountain lion kills 27 lambs at Northern California ranch"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mountain lions are common in Lake County and there is a lion sighting just about every month. Last week a farmer in Lower Lake reported 27 lambs killed by a mountain lion. The owner notified the Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW), which sent a representative to the farm. He told the owners that mountain lions are completely protected and there was nothing he could do.<\/p>\n

In a way the DFW was correct, but not completely. While the law states a lion can\u2019t be relocated, it can be destroyed if it attacks livestock or a human. This particular lion is still on the farm and will undoubtedly attack more sheep. They also like to frequent backyards looking for cats and dogs.<\/p>\n

A mountain lion is extremely strong and has been known to take down a full-grown elk weighing more than 750 pounds. An adult lion weighs up to 175 pounds and has an extremely strong bite. Sheep are one of its favorite victims.<\/p>\n

Years ago local farmers kept the lion population in check, however the animal rights crowd was able to get legislation passed that completely protected the lion.<\/p>\n

Many people are wondering why a lion would kill 27 sheep and not eat them. The lion more that likely killed the sheep because they were available. In the wild, the lion would have probably returned to feed on them.<\/p>\n

With 2,000 to 4,000 lions, California has more mountain lions than any other state. A mountain lion will kill a deer a week for food. The reason the DFW won\u2019t relocate a troublesome lion is because if relocated it will fight with the resident lions. They also travel long distances. It is not unusual for a lion to travel 50 miles in a day.<\/p>\n

A few years ago a couple were inside their home along Clear Lake and left the patio door open. An adult mountain lion wandered into the home, The couple retreated to their bathroom and locked the door. The lion ransacked the house for nearly an hour before retreating out the open door.<\/p>\n

The woman whose 27 lambs were killed also contacted a federal trapper but was told there wasn\u2019t anything he could do.<\/p>\n