John Morresi petition IP: 184.13.224.56 Posted on January 3, 2014 at 03:44:49 PM by Grasshopper
I suspected that Morresi's petition, however worthy its intent, will have no impact on protection of cougars in any state. Even if it doesn't, it educates the people who sign it. I asked Dr. Mark McCollough of the US Fish & Wildlife Service, author of the report recommending delisting of the "eastern cougar." With his permission, here is part of his response:
The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service has not yet published an official recommendation to delist the eastern puma subspecies. Other listing work has precluded us from doing so. There is not anticipated date for proceeding with delisting the eastern puma subspecies, but it could occur in the next year or two. To delist his subspecies, we would publish a proposed rule, including our findings and rationale for delisting, in the Federal Register. We would seek public comment on the proposal. Before publishing such a proposed rule in the Federal Register, we would widely notify state fish and wildlife agencies, conservation groups, puma biologists, and others interested in puma conservation to seek their comment on the proposal. Depending on the comments received during a public comment period, we would make a final determination on listing.
In the meantime, any puma that occurs in eastern North America (other than Florida and possibly Georgia where at least one Florida panther has dispersed in recent years) would be presumed to be a) a dispersing from a western subspecies or b) a released or escaped pet. Dispersing western puma subspecies and captive pumas are not protected under the Endangered Species Act. All pumas in Florida are protected under the Endangered Species Act (regardless of origin) as would be any dispersing Florida panther subspecies. Protection of pumas that occur in eastern North America (other than Florida and dispersing Florida panther subspecies) are the responsibility of state wildlife agencies. Some state agencies protect pumas under their state endangered species act or wildlife regulations, whereas others do not. Some state have special provisions allowing pumas to be killed if they are believed to threaten humans, livestock, or pets.