California official replaced after killing cougar

August 8, 2012 at 2:51p.m.

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) — The California Fish and Game Commission removed its president today, months after he was criticized for killing a mountain lion in Idaho.

Real estate developer Dan Richards was stripped of his leadership role with little discussion during a meeting in Ventura.

“I was fully aware today would be my last day as the president,” Richards said after a unanimous vote to replace him with member Jim Kellogg.

Richards, who was appointed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2008, has said he plans to remain on the five-member commission until his term expires in six months.

Conservationists clamored for his ouster after photos surfaced earlier this year of him holding the slain mountain lion.

Hunting mountain lions is banned in California, though it’s legal in Idaho and other states.

Richards told the San Jose Mercury News during a recent interview that he broke no wildlife laws.

“There’s no chance I did anything wrong,” Richards said. “I did everything by the book.”