Cougars belong

Re “A mountain lion’s crimes,” editorial, Nov. 30

I am writing in (horrified) response to the news that there is a bounty on the head of one of the most beautiful, resilient and inspiring members of the Santa Monica Mountains wildlife community: mountain lion P-45. Those of us familiar with his story know that he’s overcome incredible odds over the past five years and that his genetic profile offers real hope to the endangered local mountain lion population.

Here are my three suggestions to put an end to this tragic hunt: revoke, reason, restitution.

If at all possible, revoke the hunting permit from the ranchers.

Reason with the rancher whose alpacas were killed by P-45, starting with sending her The Times’ compelling editorial.

As for restitution, we should start a fund to compensate for the loss of the alpacas. The rancher would, in turn, have to forfeit the current hunting license and promise to refrain from seeking another “depredation permit” in the future. I’d be the first to contribute. Teddi Lynn Chichester Orange

National Park Service LAST YEAR, the state issued 265 permits to kill pumas, resulting in 107 deaths. Above, P-45.