Letter: Lack of communication harmful to homeowners and big cats

EDITOR,
 
There is a darker side to the mountain lion study (“Living with big cats in the Santa Cruz Mountains,” June 7, page 12). At least three of the mountain lion deaths may have been preventable, yet the researchers did nothing. When the study began, assurances were made by researchers wanting access into private property that they would let the property owners know when the lions were on their land. This would have let the owners take timely precautions, such as leaving the lights on, making noise and locking their livestock inside buildings. The notifications were not done, livestock was killed, and at least three lions were put down because of this lapse. 
Shouldn’t people be notified so that they can keep their children in the house?
I think it would also be very informative to study the mountain lion travels in relation to dog and cat disappearances.
 
Eric Moore, Felton