"Social Compassion In Legislation" Launches 'Ban The Trap' Celebrity Endorsed Billboard Campaign To End Bobcat Trapping

LOS ANGELES, July 27, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Social Compassion in Legislation (SCIL), a California nonprofit organization devoted to providing solutions for animal welfare and protection issues, today announced a "Ban The Trap" billboard and social media campaign in support of an upcoming vote by the California Fish & Game Commission on August 5, 2015 that would prohibit bobcat trapping state-wide. 

In addition, Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Koretz will introduce a resolution in support of the total ban at the Los Angeles City Council meeting on Tuesday, July 28, 2015.  "We need to protect bobcats, which are an important but threatened part of California's wildlife ecosystem.  The State Fish & Game Commission should adopt Option 2, and prohibit the commercial trapping of bobcats throughout the state of California.  Commercial hunting, driven by the current demand for bobcat pelts in China and other foreign markets, is decimating our state's bobcat population and causing significant negative consequences, not just for the bobcats themselves but in the natural eco-system in California, including in undeveloped areas of Southern California.  That is why I am introducing a City Council resolution in support of Option 2."

Billboard participants present at the Los Angeles unveiling included Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Koretz, Judie Mancuso, President, Social Compassion in Legislation, and billboard participants Dr. Jenn Mann, Host of VH-1's 'Couple's Therapy' & the "Dr. Jenn Show" on Sirius XM/Best Selling Author; Katie Cleary, Producer of 'Give Me Shelter', Simone Reyes, Reality Star "Running Russell Simmons; Gloria Butler, Entertainment Manager and Matt Raimo, Actor/Model. 

Other participants featured on the billboards, but who were unable to attend are Diane Warren, multi-award winning pop songwriter and Alexandra Paul, TV/Film actress and star of Baywatch.

With Ban The Trap, SCIL strives to raise awareness and support for the total prohibition on bobcat trapping in California.  "If the Fish & Game Commission do the right thing and vote for Option 2 in the proposed regulations it will end the archaic and inhumane practice of trapping and killing bobcats. As documented by many landowners, trappers often set their traps on private property and even scour social media for wildlife lovers' bobcat photos to determine where to set their traps. It's unregulated and outrageous," said SCIL's Judie Mancuso.

"Enforcement of bobcat trapping regulations in the field is virtually impossible, primarily because of the inability to identify a trapper's trap line with current GPS technology. Consequently, trappers can avoid marking a trap line with traditional flagging methods.  These flagging methods help game wardens to physically check a trap line when flagging is found in the field, so Option 1, which is a partial ban, will do nothing to change the current trend and therefore is not a viable option."    

"Bobcats belong to all Californians not just the few profiting from their skins.  So the majority of us want this to stop.  The trappers and hunters have had their free range for years, now it's our turn.  We want the full ban on 8/5," said Diane Warren.

"Trapping of bobcats should at the very least be prohibited due to severe statewide drought which affects the bobcat's food sources and the ability to reproduce offspring, which will in turn have significant impacts on the overall population of bobcats," said Dr. Jenn Mann. 

"The last official estimate of the bobcat population was made in the late 1970s. Recent and reliable population estimates for bobcats statewide in California does not exist," stated Katie Cleary. "Without accurate population numbers and an increase in trappings, we stand to lose a fundamental part of our wildlife and ecosystem all together right in front of our own eyes."

"Trapping and killing bobcats, leaving families broken up, potentially orphaning their young, leaving offspring vulnerable to perish from starvation or attacks from other animals is inhumane and should not be tolerated," said Simone Reyes.

The group is calling on the public to contact Governor Brown and the Fish & Game Commission by visiting www.BanTheTrap.com.

Social Compassion in Legislation (SCIL) is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit animal welfare organization. For more information, visit www.SocialCompassionInLegislation.org

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150727/245253

SOURCE Social Compassion in Legislation

Related Links

http://www.socialcompassioninlegislation.org

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