I am writing in regards to USG's attempt to obtain a live mountain lion as a mascot for Penn State. In my opinion, keeping an animal like this in any place other than a qualified zoo is an exercise in completely irresponsibility to an entire species of animal.

On June 4, 1973, this beautiful animal was registered as an endangered species by the Federal Registrar. Since then, the species' numbers have continued to decline.

In an attempt to increase numbers of mountain lions, zoos across the nation have taken the responsibility of developing captive breeding programs. By keeping a mountain lion on campus, you are taking that animal out of a potential breeding program. In my four years of experience working at a zoo, I have seen the hard work that goes into taking care of a variety of wild animals. Zoos have a long history of experience in caring for these animals that a university does not have.

Wild animals need things such as natural exhibits, psychological enrichment and proper nutrition. Wild animals such as mountain lions cannot be in direct contact with humans at any time.

Doing so endangers the people involved and compromises the natural behavior of the animal.

If we students want to honor our mascot, we would do much more good by giving donations to organizations that protect the mountain lion in its natural habitat as well as support breeding programs within zoos.