Protecting lions at expense of people

In January, I attended a meeting at the Marengo Public Library. I learned:

Marengo area horses have been victims of a lion attack.

The speaker refused to say how many lions would be considered a viable population for Iowa.

There are efforts to protect/restore lions in Iowa - none to bring back quail or pheasants.

The speaker is raising wolves and cougars.

Lions are reproducing in Iowa without protection from the Department of Natural Resources.

Valuable wildlife habitat should be destroyed, to protect your family from lion attacks.

Farmers should move their fences to protect livestock.

Children and pets should not be allowed outside (even in a fenced yard) unless accompanied by an adult.

The speaker (an animal-rights activist?) stated “Wildlife has a right to live in the wild.”

Apparently farmers and other rural residents do not have the right of peaceful enjoyment of their property without worrying about a lion attack. If DNR can't manage Iowa's deer herds, how is it going to manage large predatory lions?

For facts about lions not mentioned at the meeting: www.aws.vcn.com/mountain_lion_fact_sheet.html

Denise Leubka

Williamsburg