Amazing News! Two Young Mountain Lions Discovered In Santa Monica Mountains

KTLA

According to the National Park Service, Los Angeles is the only metropolis in the United States where big cats are known to live within city limits; and one of two megacities in the world with the other being Mumbai.

Until last week, there were 13 known mountain lions living in the Santa Monica Mountains who are on the brink of extinction in that area. The Mt. Lion’s range is very close to several of the city’s busiest freeways, which is sadly how many of these beautiful animals get killed trying to make it across Los Angeles’ hectic freeway system.

Daily News

News of the exciting discovery of two young mountain lions by rangers in the Santa Monica Mountains was released Monday by park officials.

Dubbed P-55 and P-56, the newly found mountain lions are estimated to be less than two years old and probably brothers. DNA tests are pending.

According to National Park Service spokesman Zach Behrens and reported by KTLA, the duo was caught earlier this month in the same spot in the Santa Monica Mountains.

While the news is fantastic, sadly the fate of P-55 and P-56 may not be.

“These two will face the same threats as previous younger males in the mountains: a habitat fragmented by freeways and development (along with rat poison moving up the food chain) and the dominant male lions who already have staked a claim to the area,” Behrens said in a sobering statement.

National Wildlife Federation

Like the other mountain lions, the newly found animals will be fitted with GPS collars which provide researchers, who study the animals and their “ability to survive among urban stressors,” with detailed information about the animals’ ecology and behavior.

Since 2002, more than 50 mountain lions in and around the Santa Monica Mountains have been monitored according to the National Park Service website.

Since December, in three separate incidences, a mother and her two young kittens were reportedly killed by vehicles while they were attempting to cross the 118 Freeway.

ABC

On January 27, 2017, an article in the Los Angeles Times, confirmed that there were 17 known cases of mountain lions being killed on a freeway or road since 2002.

The article addressed the issue by reiterating the fact that last year, California Department of Transportation recommended “building a landscaped bridge over the 101 Freeway near Liberty Canyon Road in Agoura Hills to connect the Santa Monica Mountains with the Simi Hills and Santa Susana Mountains, and provide a corridor for wildlife movements.”

CBS

Animal advocates believe that the tentative 165-foot-wide, 200-foot-long crossing would reduce the amount of mountain lions or other specues losing their lives unnecessarily by trying to cross Los Angeles’ freeways.