Mary Cummins Wildlife Rehabilitation Animal Advocates News Los Angeles California: fish

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Sunday, May 25, 2025

Mary Cummins Animal Advocates Resume Curriculum Vitae

Curriculum Vitae

Cummins is a bilingual Latina who grew up in a wildlife area of Los Angeles, California rescuing baby bunnies, squirrels and even a fawn by the age of six. She continued to rescue all types of animals on her own, with other organizations and for local animal shelters.

Cummins founded Animal Advocates an IRS recognized 501 3c non-profit organization in 2002. Animal Advocates is a registered California Corporation and legal charity with the California Attorney General. Cummins is a licensed wildlife rehabilitator specializing in small mammals including but not limited to coyotes, bobcats, foxes, skunks, raccoons, opossums, squirrels and bats.

Animal Advocates is the only wildlife rehabilitation facility in the city of Los Angeles which is home to over 5,000,000 people spread over 500 square miles. To date (2021) we have rescued and rehabilitated 8,368 wild animals and 1,254 domestic for a grand total of 9,622 animals. We provide wildlife education in English and Spanish in the community and through our work with the local, state and federal government. 2022 was our 20 year anniversary.

Education

• 1982 Beverly Hills High School, Dean's list, Swim team, Water Polo

• 1984 University of Southern California, Dean's list, Swim Team, Marks International Hall, Scholarship

Professional Education

• 1982 Emergency Medical Technician I

• 2001 Wildlife Paramedic I Basic training for wildlife emergency response

• 2003 IWRC Basic rehabilitation skills seminar, two day course, 13 hours

• 2004 Opossum Society, Opossum rehabilitation

• 2004 HSUS Animal Care two day seminar in Reno, Nevada

• 2005 Rio Hondo Police Academy PAC 43.76 PC 832 Arrest - Modules 1 & III

• 2005 Rio Hondo Police Academy PAC 43.77 PC 832 Firearms - Module II

• 2005 Animal Law Enforcement Academy, San Diego Humane Society and SPCA. 80 hours of approved credit by CVMA, sponsored by the State Humane Association of California to become a Humane Officer

• 2005 American Humane Association, Euthanasia by Injection Certificate, Pasadena Shelter

• 2005 American Humane Association - TV & Film, “No animals were harmed” one week training program. Employed in 2005.

• 2006 Pasadena Police Department Certificate of training Tazer X26

• 2005 LA Animal Services, Mitigating animal related injuries in the shelter environment

• 2005 LA Animal Services, Reptile care and handling

• 2005 LA Animal Services, Horse care and handling

• 2005 LA Animal Services, Wildlife care and handling

• 2010 Desert Studies Center, Southwestern bats, research techniques, Dr. Patricia Brown-Berry, 42 years of experience with bats

• 2011 Humane Society University, Animal First Aid for Disaster Responders, 8 hours live

• 2017 Animal Legal Defense Fund's Animal Law Summer School - Ag-Gag, Professor Alan Chen, University of Denver Sturm College of Law

• 2017 Animal Legal Defense Fund's Animal Law Summer School - Captive Wildlife, Matthew Liebman, Director of Litigation for the Animal Legal Defense Fund

• 2018 Big Cats in the City: Ecology, Behavior and Conservation of Mountain Lions around Los Angeles. Seth Riley.

• 2018 Animal Legal Defense Fund’s Animal Law School “Case Study: Elephants at the LA Zoo" presented by lawyer David Casselman.

• 2018 Wild Futures “Living with Mountain Lions in the Bay Area & Greater California.”

• 2019 Animal Legal Defense Fund’s “The Link between Violence against Humans and Animals.”

• 2020 IWRC, Coffee & Tea discussion on Cultivating anti-racism in wildlife rehabilitation

• 2021 New York City AAZK, Compassion Fatigue, Burnout, and the Zoological Field

• 2021 Beneath the Surface: Examining Triggers of Harmful Algal Blooms, Marine Mammal Care

• 2021 Prairie Dogs in Peril Zoom, James Trever of Prairie Dog Pals

• 2022 Groundbreaking of Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing

• 2022 Post Human Infrastructure, Lauren Bon, Metabolic Studios

• 2022 Wildlife 2 Watts Educational Event

• 2022 Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing Open House

• 2023 Latino Conservation Week programs

• 2023 Celebration of Life Event P22

• 2023 Natural History Museum P22 Museum Educational Visit

• 2023 IWRC Pinniped Control-Meeting Community Needs in a Time of Crisis

• 2023 Cougar Conservancy National Wildlife Federation Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing Tour

• 2024 IWRC Wildlife Rehabilitation & Conservation in Rwanda

• 2024 IWRC Connections U Networking in Latin America, Spanish/English

• 2024 Animal Tracks Wildlife Sanctuary Educational Visit

• 2024 Recognizing and Understanding Bias for the Animal Welfare Professional

• 2024 IWRC International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council Coffee & Tea: A big problem with little animals: how insect declines may affect wildlife

Professional licenses, permits past and present

• 2001 Los Angeles City Gun Permit

• 2003 Los Angeles City Wildlife Permit

• 2003 USDA Class C Exhibitor Permit for Sanctuary animals

• 2004 CA Department of Fish and Wildlife trapping permit

• 2004 CA Department of Fish and Wildlife, Wildlife Rehabilitation permit, Educational Animals and later exhibit permit

Awards and acknowledgments

• 2003 EARS, Certificate of appreciation for assisting in the wildfires

• 2003 City of Los Angeles, Certificate of appreciation

• 2009 LA Animal Services, Certificate of appreciation

• 2010 Classy, Nonprofit Award

• 2013 Great Nonprofits, Top-Rated Nonprofit Award 3

• 2013 Los Angeles Business Journal, Corporate Citizen and Nonprofit

Selected media, publications, articles

• 2002 "What to do when you find a baby squirrel"

• 2002 "What to do when you find an injured squirrel"

• 2003 "How to reunite squirrels babies with their mothers"

• 2003 "How to trim trees with wildlife in mind"

• 2003 "How to properly care for un-releasable squirrels"

• 2003 "How to build proper caging for wildlife"

• 2003 Cat Fancy Magazine, "Mama Mia"

• 2003 "How to humanely deal with coyotes"

• 2004 "Rehabilitation of tree squirrels" manual.

• 2004 "Rehabilitation of ground squirrels" manual.

• 2004 "Rehabilitation of skunks" manual.

• 2004 "Treatment of Malocclusion in Squirrels," Co-author Dr. Bill Ridgeway

• 2004 "How to trim rodent teeth"

• 2004 "How to make pet squirrels wild again"

• 2004 "How to set up a wildlife referral system in animal shelters"

• 2005 IWRC, "Journal of Wildlife Rehabilitation," "Raising baby tree squirrels from weaning to release"

• 2000-2024 Over 500 wildlife, animal articles written for blogs, newspapers, online media and others Selected media

• 2003 Animal Planet "Beverly Hills Vet, Squirrel Rehabilitation"

• 2003 CADFG "Scrawl of the Wild"

• 2003 LA Times "Rodent poisoning project angers animal activists"

• 2004 Cable television show "Wildlife Rescue," six episodes, Doggy TV

• 2004 Gardena Valley News "Helping furry friends survive urban jungle"

• 2004 KROQ radio interview with Scott Mason

• 2005 Discovery Channel "The Undetectables, Squirrel Care"

• 2005 LA Weekly "A Billionaire's Bark"

• 2005 KROQ radio interview with Scott Mason

• 2005 Thousand Oaks Acorn “Public outcry over slain tiger loud—but not universal”

• 2005 LA Times "Urban remedies: Dealing with new arrivals"

• 2005 Thousand Oaks Acorn "Public outcry over slain tiger loud-but not universal"

• 2005 LA City Beat "Welcome to the jungle"

• 2006 Daily News "Stuckey stays on as $50,000 City consultant"

• 2006 Book "Squirrels: The Animal Answer Guide"

• 2006 Daily News "County relaxes restrictions on llamas, animal rehab"

• 2006 Daily News "Council hears Stuckey critics"

• 2006 LA Times "Fired City Official's appeal in limbo"

• 2007 LA Times "Opossums: your garden's evening clean-up crew"

• 2009 LA Times "Your morning adorable, baby skunks and the handstand dance"

• 2010 Martha Stewart "A gopher named Charlie"

• 2010 Martha Stewart "A second chance for Charlie"

• 2010 LA Times "Your morning adorable: rescued rabbit enjoys a meal"

• 2010 LA Times "Your morning adorable: rub a dub dub, raccoons in a tub"

• 2010 Top YouTube pets video channel in March

• 2011 Ventura County Star “City says bats remain at Moorpark home”

• 2011 CBS Los Angeles “Moorpark Says Homeowners Not Doing Enough To Fight Bats”

• 2011 NBC “WeHo one step closer to fur ban”

• 2012 Santa Monica Patch “Wild Animal in Town? Call on Us, Vet Says”

• 2012 Santa Monica Daily Press “Groups want policy change after mountain lion death”

• 2012 ABC “IDA Rally held in Santa Monica in protest of fatal shooting of mountain lion”

• 2012 NBC “Animal-Rights Group Protests Santa Monica Mountain Lion Shooting”

• 2012 Member of Santa Monica City after incident report in regard to mountain lion shooting

Social Media

• Over 78,000 Facebook fans

• Over 8,000 YouTube subscribers

• Over 12,000,000 YouTube video views

• Over 99,000 YouTube watch hours

• Approved Member Facebook/Meta Nonprofit Growth Program

Experience

• 2001- Present Wildlife rehabilitation. Rescued over 8,000 wild animals with a release rate over 90%

• 2001- Present Wildlife education, presentations to Oasis, Crossroads school, LA Animal Services, Best Friends super adoption, Temple Beth El private school and many others

• 2001- 2006 LA Animal Services, animal shelter volunteer

• 2003 Dept of Fish & Wildlife cleanup of Tiger Rescue, Chuck Traisi, volunteer

• 2003 City of Buena Ventura no-feed plan for wildlife

• 2004 New wildlife policy approved in Los Angeles City

• 2005 American Humane Association - TV & Film, “No animals were harmed” team

• 2006 Amendment to LA County zoning which allows wildlife rehabilitation

• 2006 Redid the LA Animal Services website, added "Adopt a Pet" feature

• 2006 Birth control program for squirrels in Santa Monica

• 2006 Assistant to Director of Found Animals Foundation

• 2010 HSUS NDART team cockfight raid Nipomo, CA

• 2011 HSUS NDART team 150 dog rescue Lucerne Valley, CA

• 2012 City of Santa Monica Mountain Lion Task Force with IDA

• 2013 Expert Opossum Witness for PETA for opossum lawsuit

• 2013 Expert Animal Cruelty Presentation for Animal Defense League Animal Law School

• 2013 Presentation for California Attorney General “We Love Wildlife!” Campaign

• 2020 A Critical Evaluation of Legal and Illegal Killing of Native Predators, Dr. Adrian Treves

• 2024 Bat Roost Count Natural History Museum of Los Angeles

• 2024 International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council IWRC Connections and Networking in Latin America and the Caribbean

• 2024 72nd Annual Wildlife Disease Association conference by WDA Australia

• 2025 Howliday Clinic for Pets Experiencing Homelessness with K9 Connection, Pets Laneding, Street Dog Coalition

• 2025 Rescued and Sheltered Animals Displaced by Los Angeles Fires

• 2025 Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve

• 2025 Blessing of the Animals Los Angeles

Committees/Task forces

• 2004 LA Animal Services Spanish language Committee, Spay and Neuter Committee, Wildlife Committee, Adopt-a-thon Committee, New Hope Partner

• 2005 LA City, Councilman Zine Coyote Task Force

• 2005 Approved by Mayor to be a commissioner for LA Animal Services

• 2006 LA City Proposition F Committee

• 2008 Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) National Disaster Animal Response Team (NDART)
• 2012 Santa Monica Police, Animal Control, Fish & Wildlife After Mountain Lion Killing Incident Task Force

Professional memberships

• California Council for Wildlife Rehabilitators

• National Wildlife Rehabilitation Association

• International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AnimalAdvocatesUSA

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/animal-advocates

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@MaryCummins

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/animaladvocatesusa/

Blog https://animaladvocatesmarycummins.blogspot.com/

#marycummins #animaladvocates #curriculumvitae #resume #wildliferehabilitation #wildliferehabilitator #wildliferescue #squirrels #skunks #opossums #raccoons #bats #bobcats #coyotes #gophers #chipmunks #losangeles #california #animaladvocatesus

Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates is a wildlife rehabilitator licensed by the California Department of Fish and Game and the USDA. Mary Cummins is also a licensed real estate appraiser in Los Angeles, California.

Google+ Mary Cummins, Mary K. Cummins, Mary Katherine Cummins, Mary Cummins-Cobb, Mary, Cummins, Cobb, wildlife, wild, animal, rescue, wildlife rehabilitation, wildlife rehabilitator, fish, game, los angeles, california, united states, squirrel, raccoon, fox, skunk, opossum, coyote, bobcat, manual, instructor, speaker, humane, nuisance, control, pest, trap, exclude, deter, green, non-profit, nonprofit, non, profit, ill, injured, orphaned, exhibit, exhibitor, usda, united states department of agriculture, hsus, humane society, peta, ndart, humane academy, humane officer, animal legal defense fund, animal cruelty, investigation, peace officer, animal, cruelty, abuse, neglect #marycummins #animaladvocates #losangeles #california #wildlife #wildliferehabilitation #wildliferehabilitator #realestate #realestateappraiser #realestateappraisal #lawsuit

Mary Cummins

Mary Cummins of Cummins Real Estate Services has been in real estate since 1983, over 35 years. She is licensed by the Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers. Mary Cummins was an agent and broker licensed with the California Department of Real Estate selling residential income, commercial buildings, raw land and homes for Merrill Lynch Realty in Beverly Hills and Westside Properties in Los Angeles before concentrating on appraisals. Mary Cummins currently provides real estate appraisals, expert witness testimony, historical research, legal real estate research for mortgage brokers, banks, lawyers, factors, insurance companies, financial consultants and private individuals. Mary Cummins was born and raised in Southern California. Cummins attended Beverly Hills Good Shepherd Catholic School and Beverly Hills High School. Besides being on the Dean's list, Mary Cummins was a top ten national swimmer and competed on the men's water polo team. Mary Cummins began college at the age of 15 attending the University of Southern California on scholarship, majoring in Psychology/Sociology. http://www.animaladvocates.us http://www.facebook.com/AnimalAdvocatesUSA

Saturday, April 12, 2025

New Executive Order Threatens Wildlife, Marine Mammals, Environment by Mary Cummins Animal Advocates

There is a new April 9 Executive Order regarding U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service which affects wildlife and the environment. They want to unwind Federal Acts if they restrict energy production. These Acts protect wildlife and the environment. They are the migratory bird treaty act, marine mammal protection act, endangered species act... Without these Federal Acts there are NO protections for wildlife, marine mammals or the environment. They'll be able to drill for oil in the ocean even if millions of marine mammals and birds die. They can mine for lithium even if thousands of bald eagles will be killed. We must act now! We'll keep you posted on what you can do to protect wildlife.

Here is the Executive Order

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/04/zero-based-regulatory-budgeting-to-unleash-american-energy

ZERO-BASED REGULATORY BUDGETING TO UNLEASH AMERICAN ENERGY

This order directs certain agencies to incorporate a sunset provision into their regulations governing energy production to the extent permitted by law.

(i) For the FWS, this order applies to all regulations issued pursuant to the following statutes and any amendments thereto:

(i) the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act;

(ii) the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918;

(iii) the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1934;

(iv) the Anadromous Fish Conservation Act of 1965;

(v) the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972;

(vi) the Endangered Species Act of 1973;

(vii) the Magnuson–Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976; and

(viii) the Coastal Barrier Resources Act of 1982.

#usfishandwildlifeservice #marycummins #AnimalAdvocates #wildlife #migratorybirds #marinemammals #endangeredspecies

Mary Cummins

Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Anticoagulant Poison in Oceans, Lakes by Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates

mary cummins, animal advocates, anticoagulant bait, rat poison, poison, anticoagulant, los angeles, california, wildlife, death, brodifacoum, fish, water, lake, ocean, sea

A new study came out showing anticoagulant poison in trout, Brodifacoum causes coagulopathy, hemorrhages, and mortality in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) at environmentally relevant hepatic residue concentrations.

When I was accidentally poisoned by anticoagulant bait along San Buenaventura beach in 2003 it also went into the water. The pest control operator admitted to free scattering the poison in the tidal areas in the rocks to kill ground squirrels. Within a week I found dead fish and a dead pelican on the beach. I sent the pelican to the lab. It had evidence of internal bleeding. I also found many, many dead birds on the beach and beach parking lot besides a dead cat. Sent the birds to the lab. They had four different types of anticoagulant bait in them. The ecoli level was so high in the water right there that they closed the beach for two weeks. Poison gets into the water directly and indirectly.

Study Highlights

•Brodifacoum doses ≥ 75 µg/kg bw disrupt blood coagulation of rainbow trout.
•Brodifacoum doses between 100 and 200 µg/kg bw cause mortality in rainbow trout.
•Test duration is a key factor assessing the effects of brodifacoum on fish.

•The lowest mean hepatic residue associated with effects in trout is 122.6 ng/g.
•Brodifacoum causes effects at environmentally relevant hepatic concentrations.

Abstract

Widely used second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides like brodifacoum are classified as persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic. Widespread exposure of terrestrial and avian non-target species is well-known and recently hepatic anticoagulant rodenticide residues have been detected in wild fish. However, no sufficient data exist to interpret the effects of these findings on fish health. In order to assess the potential impact of rodenticide residues on fish, we exposed rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) to brodifacoum-spiked feed. In a first experiment, individually kept trout (body weight ca. 200 g) were exposed to a single dose of brodifacoum and observed for 15 days. In a second experiment, fish (body weight ca. 330 g) were kept in groups and fed every 7 or 8 days with brodifacoum-spiked feed for up to 60 days. Sampling of trout every 15 days over the 60 days period allowed monitoring of brodifacoum concentrations in serum, liver, and muscle tissue, as well as occurring effects over the course of the experiment. In both experiments, brodifacoum doses of ≥ 75 µg/kg body weight caused prolonged or non-measurable blood coagulation times. Disturbed hemostasis led to hemorrhages and anemia with significantly decreased albumin levels. In the 60 days-experiment, brodifacoum doses ≥ 100 µg/kg body weight caused additionally discoloration, apathy, and anorexia, resulting in reduced weight gain, and ultimately mortality. The delay until the onset of overt symptoms (14–17 days) highlights the importance of test duration while investigating effects of anticoagulant rodenticides in fish. The lowest hepatic brodifacoum concentration associated with effects in trout was on average 122.6 ng/g liver wet weight, which is in the range of previously reported brodifacoum residues in wild fish. These findings illustrate the risks associated with the use of anticoagulant rodenticides for freshwater fish and reinforce the need to stipulate all available and appropriate risk mitigation measures to prevent emissions at source.

Link to paper

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0147651324017056

Mary Cummins

Thursday, June 13, 2024

National Pigeon Appreciation Day by Mary Cummins, Animal Advocates

National Pigeon Appreciation Day is celebrated on June 13th to honor pigeons that served in World War I and World War II as messengers and spies, and to challenge the misconception that pigeons are pests and disease-ridden. We've rescued many non-native pigeons including racing, wedding, homing and fancy pigeons. The pigeon sitting on an unfertile egg is Patty Pigeon rescued by Patty Shenker at then Animal Acres which is now Farm Sanctuary in Acton, California. #nationalpigeonappreciationday #pigeon #pigeonlove #pigeonrescue #marycummins #wildliferehabilitation #wildliferhabilitator #wildliferescue #losangeles #california #rockdove #homingpigeon #weddingpigeon #racingpigeon

Mary Cummins

Friday, March 8, 2024

International Women's Day from Animal Advocates, Mary Cummins in Los Angeles, California

Today is International Women's Day! This year's theme is "Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress." Did you know that as of 2024 89% of wildlife rehabilitators in the United States are women? Most animal rescuers in general are women.

Our founder Mary Cummins was inspired by her Mexican American grandmother Maria Rivera who raised her. Maria Rivera was an animal rescuer and a vegetarian. She instilled in her granddaughter the desire to help all creatures in need. Cummins' first animal rescues of a bunny, squirrel and deer were with her grandmother.

Today we honor women and especially those in animal rescue and care. Thank you, women, for spending countless hours rescuing and caring for animals around the clock. Thank you for educating the public about animal and wildlife issues. And thank you for helping out, investing in and donating to animal care organizations to accelerate progress for animals.

In loving memory of our great women volunteers Mari Shepard, Janet Adams and Julie Murray. #internationalwomensday #internationalwomensday2024 #AnimalAdvocates #wildliferehabilitation #wildliferehabilitator #losangeles #california #animalrescue

Mary Cummins

Sunday, June 25, 2023

Op-Ed: Mountain Lion P-22 Killed by Poison by Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates in Los Angeles California

Mountain Lion P22 Killed by Poison, p22, p-22, puma,mountain lion,cougar,mary cummins,animal advocates, animaladvocates.us, marycummins.com, wildlife rehabilitation, los angeles, caliornia, fish, game, poison, anticoagulant, griffith park

Los Angeles' most famous mountain lion P-22 was euthanized by the California Department of Fish & Wildlife December 17, 2022 due to fatal injury and illness. The necropsy report (https://wildlife.ca.gov/News/final-necropsy-results-released-for-mountain-lion-p-22) was released June 14, 2023. It showed his death was caused by exposure to anticoagulant poison and traumatic injury.

The report stated he suffered "recent trauma to his head and right eye, including an orbital fracture." He had "older, significant trauma, including a diaphragmatic rupture, through which the liver and sections of connective tissue from the abdomen had herniated and were inside his chest cavity." The injuries were most likely from a car strike.

He was "underweight, arthritic and had progressive and incurable kidney disease." He had "a severe parasitic skin infection over his entire body, caused by demodectic mange and a fungus, specifically ringworm." Toxicology "revealed exposure to five anticoagulant rodenticides compounds."

Research has shown that long term exposure to anticoagulant poison causes the immune system to be suppressed. The body is no longer able to fight off common parasitic infections such as mites and ringworm. The poison also causes anticoagulant-related nephropathy and results in bleeding in the kidneys which causes kidney failure. Over time the animal becomes weak, dehydrated and unable to easily procure prey animals. This causes the animals to more easily be hit by cars. Poison ultimately killed P-22.

All of the bobcats, foxes, coyotes that we've taken into our wildlife rehabilitation facility over the last 20 years that were hit by cars had major mange mite infestations. They were thin, weak, dehydrated and had poor coat condition just like P22. This was caused by the animals eating poisoned animals. Poisoned animals are easier to catch than healthy ones. People use anticoagulant poison to kill ground squirrels, gophers and rats around homes, golf courses and parks. You can clearly see the poison bait stations scattered all around Griffith Park where P-22 lived. We've taken in many poisoned animals from this park.

The main causes of mountain lion deaths are depredation permits, poison and auto collisions. A depredation permit is a permit to kill a specific mountain lion after they have injured or killed someone's pet or farm animal. The owner of the dead animal requests the permit and a hunter shoots it dead. Some estimate there were or are about 4,000 mountain lions in California. From 2001 to 2018 1,400 were killed by depredation permits per Fish & Wildlife.

The other main cause of death is poison. 96% of mountain lions that have been tested have been exposed to anticoagulant poison per Fish & Wildlife. They are poisoned for their entire lives if they live near human development. This causes kidney failure besides many other health issues similar to what P22 suffered. Poisoned animals are more likely to be hit by cars.

Fish & Wildlife has tried to limit the poisoning but failed because pesticides are not under their jurisdiction. Depredation permits are under their jurisdiction. We need state politicians to step up and call for an emergency injunction to all depredation permits. There also must be tougher restrictions on the use of anticoagulant poison outdoors where non-target wildlife can be poisoned. I've witnessed coyotes sitting right outside poison stations in Griffith Park waiting for the animals to exit so they can eat them.

While wildlife crossings will help some wildlife it may cause others to encroach deeper into developed parts of the city increasing their risk of being killed by depredation permits, poisoning and car strikes. One can only hope our local mountain lions use them to exit the city instead of entering. We owe it to P22 and all of Los Angeles' wildlife to do better. For years people have complained about poison and depredation permits yet nothing has changed. Maybe P22's cruel and agonizing death will be the impetus Los Angeles needs to finally change things.

Mary Cummins

President

#P22 #mountainlion #puma #marycummins #losangeles #california #griffithpark #cougar #poison #rodenticides #rodenticide #anticoagulantes #anticoagulant #ratpoison

Mary Cummins

Saturday, February 4, 2023

P-22 Celebration of Life Event at Greek Theater, Hollywood, California, Animal Advocates, Mary Cummins

mary cummins, animal advocates, celebration of life, p22, p-22, mountain lion, cougar, puma, los angeles, california, greek theater, griffith park, death, eulogy, legacy, funeral, rodenticide, car, euthanasia

Today February 4, 2022 was the P-22 Celebration of Life event at the Greek Theater in Griffith Park, Hollywood, California. The sponsor was the National Wildlife Federation. Animal Advocates was there along with congressmen Ted Lieu, Adam Schiff, Diplo, The Tokens playing "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," Wallis Annenberg representative, Charlton Chuck Bonham of the California Department of Fish & Wildlife, Seth Riley, Jeff Sikich and David Szymanski of the National Park Service, Beth Pratt, Griff Griffith, National Geographic photographer Steve Winter, Warren Dixon of 3rd Rock Hip Hop, Francis Appiah drummer Caltrans singer, Alan Salazar tribal elder, Steven Garcia Tongva Indian, Tina Calderon, Rainn Wilson Actor, Friends of Griffith Park, Miguel Ordenana of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, Tony Lee filmmaker, Lana Duffy, Laura Friedman, Gavin Newsom via video, Alex Padilla via video, Senator Anthony Portantino, Actor Julia Butters, Wade Crowfoot, Jeremy Guff and many more whom I'll list below.

It was a beautiful 70 degree sunny day. The event did not appear to be sold out as the rear and side sections were empty. The front section was reserved for VIPs and friends of NWF but the rest was general seating. The event ran 1.5 hours long ending at 3:30 pm instead of 2:00 pm. People started leaving around 2 and 2:30 pm.

Beth Pratt of the National wildlife Federation read the eulogy which was in the LA Times. Senator Anthony Portantino presented a California Senate Declaration. Congressman Adam Schiff talked about the new P22 stamp and pro wildlife legislation. Congressman Ted Lieu talked about what P22 meant to California. Actor Julia Butters read a letter she wrote when she was eight about P22 trying to help him. Rainn Wilson Actor sang a song he wrote about P22. The Tokens relatives sang two songs including "The Lion Sleeps Tonight." Governor Gavin Newsom appeared via video as did Senator Alex Padilla.

I posted photos below and will add the video tomorrow. There are videos on our Facebook page here http://www.facebook.com/AnimalAdvocatesUSA Here is the full video of the event.

https://savelacougars.org/p-22-celebration-of-life #p22forever #p22legacy #savelacougars

Mary Cummins

Sunday, April 24, 2022

Interview with Jeff Sikich, National Park Service, by Mary Cummins, Animal Advocates

Jeff Sikich, National Park Service, mountain lion, cougar, puma, California, Mary Cummins, Animal Advocates, Los Angeles, Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, conservation, rodenticide, depredation permits, deaths, freeway, wildlife rehabilitation, biologist, scientist

Interview with Jeff Sikich, Biologist with the National Park Service, by Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates. Jeff Sikich talks about mountain lions at the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing groundbreaking event.

Mary Cummins

Friday, October 4, 2019

1,700+ mountain lions killed in California with depredation permits last 18 years. Only 4,000 left. Spending millions on a wildlife crossing may be moot

california department of fish wildlife, game, fish & game, depredation permits, mountain lions, california, killed, shot, murdered, wildlife crossing, hit by cars, freeways, mary cummins, animal advocates

The California Department of Fish & Wildlife gave depredation permits to people in California who killed 1,702 mountain lions from 2001 to 2018. California's statewide lion population is estimated to be approximately 4,000 animals and dropping. 42% were killed with depredation permits alone in the last 17 years. The number killed being hit by cars is minuscule compared to these numbers. While wildlife crossings are important it's questionable to spend millions on a crossing over the 101 freeway to save five mountain lions when 1,700+ will be killed with depredation permits. Makes more sense to focus more energy to limit the depredation permits which are unnecessary anyway.

One big issue is what happens after they cross over the Wildlife Crossing? They'll just be in more developed area. They're more likely to die by car strike, poison and depredation permits.Maybe they are safer in more wildlife areas away from development. Maybe the crossing will cause more to come into harms way and die. Time will tell.

The Wildlife Crossing will of course save more than mountain lions. There are many other species which will benefit from the crossing not to mention the reduction in car accidents from animal strikes. I believe wildlife crossings should be considered when they first design any new highway or freeway. Currently there is the Liberty Creek culvert which goes under the 101 freeway in that area. There is also Liberty Canyon Blvd which goes under the 101 freeway right where the Crossing will be built. Liberty Canyon is 40' wide under the freeway and 76' wide just south of the freeway, see photo below. Mountain lions have used the culvert. In fact a pet tiger used the culverts to cross under the freeway and highways for almost two weeks in that area. Other wildlife have been recorded using the culverts.

Below is the Liberty Creek and I assume the culvert exit. It's just west of Liberty Canyon.

Here is a 2015 study that goes into the main causes of mountain lion deaths. The current main causes of death are depredation permits, vehicle collisions, rodenticide poisoning, intraspecies conflict, illegal shooting, public safety in no particular order.

A person can apply for a depredation permit if a mountain lion has killed or injured their livestock. Killing a mountain lion will not prevent other mountain lions or other animals from killing other animals. It clearly makes more sense to protect your livestock with bars and enclosures. They should make it mandatory to protect your livestock. In actuality someone who leaves their livestock unprotected is creating the problem. The chart and numbers are of the least amount of mountain lion killed. The actual numbers are higher.

https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=171192&inline&fbclid=IwAR2EJv38R2h8D0fZvtH6xvdJ9IufLJJi22Havj4l4CB4YabzJ7Y8o2DsZg0

"Pursuant to California Fish and Game Code Section 4802 (et. Seq.), the Department of Fish and Wildlife shall, upon request, issue (depredation) permits to individuals reporting livestock loss or damage caused by mountain lions, if the loss or damage is confirmed by CDFW staff to have been caused by mountain lions."

https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Mammals/Mountain-Lion/Depredation

In 2017 they modified the depredation permit. The person must first do everything possible to protect their livestock. If that's the case, they should never give a depredation permit. This is the process to currently get a depredation permit for a mountain lion from the link below.

"GUIDANCE FOR MOUNTAIN LION INCIDENTS

Receiving reports of Mountain Lion Sightings, Depredation, Potential Human
Conflict, or Public Safety Situations (for non-sensitive populations refer to
Department Bulletin 2013-02)

STEPWISE PROCESS FOR MOUNTAIN LION INCIDENTS IN THE
IMPLEMENTATION AREAS

1) First Depredation Event
a. Confirmation of depredation. Per Fish and Game Code section 4803, a
mountain lion depredation must be verified by a responder.
b. Oral authorization. Per Fish and Game Code Section 4805, oral
authorization to pursue (haze) the depredating mountain lion may be
granted if the immediate pursuit will assist in the non-lethal removal of the
mountain lion from the property. A depredation permit shall be issued as
soon as practical.
c. Education. The responder should discuss site-specific options for
managing mountain lion depredation with the RP and educate the RP
regarding mountain lion behavior. Additionally, the responder should
communicate that as a condition of any depredation permit, the property
owner should institute logistically and economically feasible measures
designed to reduce the potential for attracting mountain lions. Potential
measures include, but are not limited to: 1) removing the carcass and
carcass parts of depredated animals; 2) install/repair/replace fencing or
other shelter designed to exclude mountain lions from the attractant; 3)
removing potential suitable habitat (e.g., cover) from the immediate vicinity
by clearing brush or removing lower limbs from shrubbery.
d. RP requests a permit. If the RP requests a depredation permit, the
Department shall issue a permit. The Department should issue a ‘nonlethal’ depredation permit to pursue/haze the mountain lion. Measures that
could be part of a permit include, but are not limited to: 1) deploying
temporary deterrent systems (e.g., motion-sensitive lighting, loud music),
and 2) the use of livestock protection dogs, etc. Such permits shall explicitly
indicate that no mountain lion shall be intentionally killed during this phase
of the permitting process. Unique characteristics or specific collar/tag
information on suspected lions shall be noted and monitored by the
Department when possible.

2) Second depredation event. If a mountain lion depredation is reported at the
same physical location (e.g. reported on animals owned by the same RP within
the same geographic ownership or area) within a time period strongly
suggesting a lion’s affinity for the site, the Department will confirm the reported
mountain lion depredation, and issue, if necessary, oral authorization in
accordance with Sections 1(a) and (b) above.
a. RP requests a permit. If damage is confirmed, and the property owner has
demonstrated that all reasonable preventative measures recommended by
the Department were implemented, the responder should modify the
existing permit or issue a new non-lethal depredation permit specifying
additional measures not included in the previous permit (e.g., use of beanbag shots). Such permits shall explicitly indicate that no mountain lion shall
be intentionally killed during pursuit.

3) Third depredation event. If a mountain lion depredation is reported a third
time at the same physical location (e.g. reported on animals owned by the
same RP within the same geographic ownership or area) within a time period
strongly suggesting a lion’s affinity for the site, the responder will first verify the
reported mountain lion depredation in accordance with Section 1(a) above.
a. RP requests a permit. If damage is confirmed by the Department, the RP
has demonstrated that all reasonable preventative measures required in
the existing permits were implemented, and the RP requests a lethal
depredation permit, the Department shall issue a depredation permit to
lethally remove the mountain lion. This permit could be via oral
authorization per Fish and Game Code Section 4805.
4) Terms and conditions of mountain lion depredation permits. Only one
mountain lion may be killed under a depredation permit. In order to ensure that
only the depredating lion will be taken, the permit shall: (1) expire 10 days after
issuance; (2) authorize the permittee to begin pursuit of the depredating
mountain lion not more than one mile from the depredation site; and, (3) limit
the pursuit of the depredating mountain lion to within a 10-mile radius from the
location of the reported damage or destruction. If damage continues to occur
following the killing of a mountain lion under a permit, the Department may
issue an additional depredation permit, o"

https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=153021

Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates is a wildlife rehabilitator licensed by the California Department of Fish and Game and the USDA. Mary Cummins is also a licensed real estate appraiser in Los Angeles, California.

Mary Cummins

Mary Cummins Animal Advocates Los Angeles California Wildlife Rehabilitation Real Estate

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