The Return of the Cougar

They are expanding their range to the east...

This is really a no brainer.  Let the cougars return, but do not hesitate to kill individual cats that become a problem (and with better biology and animal behavior science, pin pointing specific problem cats can be done).  You cannot expect rancher to put up with losses without compensation or a means to defend their flocks and herds. And cougars, while certainly capable of living in close proximity of suburban and urban environments like bears and wolves, can be potentially dangerous.  

Update:

TOM reports on a 19 year old (naked) women who disappeared in Gifford National Forest in Washington State (she was supposedly on a spiritual quest).  I hope this turns out well for her, but she has to recognize most large predators are on a gastronomical quest most of the time and there are plenty of cougars and bears in that forest, let alone the danger of exposure (Washington forests are not exactly balmy) and injury while you are alone.  And the most dangerous predator in the woods is also man, so she would have been wise to have packed something a little more substantial in her fanny pack (just in case).  

h/t: Instapundit