The man entrusted with protecting California wildlife, including mountain lions, isn’t apologizing for killing one in Idaho, where it is legal.
Dozens of supporters share his view, and they made their feelings known at a California Fish & Game meeting in Riverside Wednesday.
Commission president Dan Richards came under fire recently for killing a mountain lion in Idaho and then posing for pictures with the dead animal.
"Wildlife management in Idaho is different than California," said Richard Scott, friend and supporter. "Mr. Richards was not in California."
However several dozen state lawmakers have asked Richards to step down, including Logan Heights Assemblyman Ben Hueso, according to an article in the Los Angeles Times.
"He represents the state of California and the protection of wildlife in the state of California, and here he is going into another state and killing them," said Chris DeRose, the founder and president of Last Chance for Animals.
Richards has refused to step down. However, his appointment as president of the commission runs out next January.
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If the majority of the legislature wishes, lawmakers could force Richards to step down before then.
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