The United States Fish and Wildlife Service has suspended its consideration of a proposed mountain lion hunt in the KOFA National Wildlife Refuge in southwestern Arizona.  The Refuge announced that it was considering the hunt in early December, and posted documents required to initiate public comment on its website.  The comment period expired on December 29, 2006.  In a telephone conversation a few days after the comment period expired, Refuge Manager Paul Cornes told ADLA that consideration of the hunt had beeen suspended, based on direction from the Fish and Wildlife Service because it is preparing new guidelines on cumulative impact.  In August 2006, a federal court ruled that the Fish and Wildlife Service must analyze cumulative impact before it opens refuges to hunting.

Click here for information on ADLA efforts to protect Arizona lions and to read ADLA's comments in opposition to the proposed mountain lion hunt on the KOFA National Wildlife Refuge.

For more information: KOFA National Wildlife Refuge- http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/arizona/kofa.html  or contact Stephanie Nichols-Young at snicholsyoung@adlaz.org