Effort to End Lion-Hunting Ban Assailed : Wildlife: Backers say the statewide initiative would stem an unchecked population and promote public safety. But animal advocates say it’s a ruse to bring the trophy sport back.

Animal rights groups on Thursday attacked a statewide measure on the March ballot that would end a ban against hunting mountain lions, calling the initiative a ruse by gun enthusiasts and others hoping to bring the trophy sport back to California.

The animal rights advocates accused the authors of Proposition 197 of seeking support by whipping up public hysteria with stories of vicious--but isolated--attacks in recent years.

“This proposition has nothing whatsoever to do with public safety,” Bill Yeates, president of the Mountain Lion Foundation, told a news conference at the Los Angeles Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. “It has everything to do with shooting lions for fun.”

The measure would amend Proposition 117, a 1990 voter-approved initiative that outlaws the sport hunting of mountain lions, permitting them to be killed only if they menace livestock or are perceived to be an imminent threat to humans. Proposition 197 backers say the current law makes it impossible to control the lion population because wardens can kill the animals only after the report of an attack.

Ranchers groups, hunters organizations and other backers say the measure will help stem a lion population that has grown out of control in recent years, particularly after state voters approved the existing ban in 1990.

Supporters say the unchecked growth of the lion population has led to tragic incidents, including two fatal attacks on joggers last year. The lions, believed to number between 4,000 and 6,000, also have killed cattle, sheep and other animals, putting endangered species at risk and causing farmers millions in losses, they say.

“We have a serious public safety problem in California and we need to be able to deal with it,” said state Sen. Tim Leslie (R-Carnelian Bay), who wrote the measure after a constituent was killed by a lion last year.

Proposition 197 would direct the state Department of Fish and Game to develop management plans for lions, just as the department does for deer, bears and other animals.

In parts of the state where the lion population is overabundant, the agency could designate zones for their removal. Game wardens and other designees of the department would be allowed to reduce the number of lions in the zones.

State officials are uncertain just how much the state’s lion population has grown in recent years. There have been no studies since the late 1980s. But fish and game officials say a rising number of attacks and sightings suggest a growing population. They cite four attacks in 1994, including the two fatal incidents, compared with two nonfatal attacks in 1992.

They say the incidents are partly the result of suburban neighborhoods expanding into rural areas that have been home to the animals.

“In general, the number of incidents involving lions has gone through the roof [since the late 1980s],” said Jeff Weir, assistant deputy director of the fish and game department, which has not taken an official stand on the proposition. “We think there will be a continued increase in the number of attacks.”

The new measure does not call for legalizing hunting, but legislator Leslie, who is heading up Californians for Balanced Wildlife Management, the campaign in support of the proposition, said that tactic could be used to control lion populations if fish and game officials recommend such a solution.

“I’m not saying it won’t happen,” Leslie said. “But I’m willing to let expert wildlife biologists determine what should be done.”