No one wants to see either the big cats or the wild sheep driven to extinction. They're both vital parts of our wild heritage. The idea that nature lovers can or should walk peacefully, shoulder to shoulder with these deadly predators, is the kind of fantasy that shouldn't even be taught to children. Instead, stand tall, shout and wave your arms. Passable advice as a last resort, since no child is likely to outrun or outclimb one of these cats.
Ecology is the study of the way all the parts of a biological system fit together.
The solution is not to take away the power of the referendum, but rather to better educate the discretion of the populace. Leaving a place for wildlife is an estimable goal. Watch for Vin's book, Send in the Waco Killers , coming from Huntington Press in February 1999.