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For
a copy of poll results, click here.
(Adobe
Acrobat required)
April 15,
2004
PHOENIX -- More than three-fourths of Arizonans want to see
mountain lions protected in Arizona, and 84 percent say they
believe that the Arizona Game and Fish Commission and Department
should have a reliable count on the number of mountain lions
to guide their decisions about hunting of these animals. According
to a poll released today, there is a clear majority across
all demographic groups who believe protecting mountain lions
is important.
“Arizonans
understand that mountain lions are an important species that
play a crucial role in our natural systems,” said Stephanie
Nichols-Young with the Animal Defense League of Arizona. “They
also agree that there needs to be a balance in our systems
and that limiting the take of mountain lion kittens and their
mothers is appropriate.”
“The
public believes that Game and Fish should acquire and use
accurate information to make decisions about mountain lion
management,” said Jeff Williamson, CEO/President of The
Phoenix Zoo. “We agree with that and encourage the commission
and the agency to do more to gather reliable information and
to use that information to guide their decisions.”
According
to the statewide poll:
--Three-fourths
of Arizonans believe that it is important to protect mountain
lions in Arizona (77% to 21%).
-- 84 percent said the Game and Fish Commission and Department
should have a reliable population count of mountain lions
before making decisions regarding the hunting of mountain
lions.
-- 70 percent disagree with the Game and Fish policy that
allows hunting of female mountain lions and their young.
“It
is also clear that the public understands that mountain lions
pose a limited risk to human beings and that they are an important
part of our wild landscape,” said Sandy Bahr, Conservation
Outreach Director for the Sierra Club’s Grand Canyon
Chapter. “Even in light of the fear-mongering associated
with the Sabino Canyon mountain lions, most people agreed
that these animals belong here and that the threats are minimal.”
The public
opinion survey was conducted by Decision Research for the
Animal Defense League of Arizona, the Phoenix Zoo, and the
Sierra Club. The poll was conducted between March 10 and March
16, 2004, using a random selection of 800 likely voters across
Arizona. The sampling error is estimated to be +/- 3.5 percent.
See
related alert about the proposed mountain lion hunt guidelines
here. For
more information about mountain lions in Arizona, check out
ADLA's web page at www.lions.adlaz.org.
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