Another Mountain Lion Found Dead On The 405 Freeway In LA; More Needs To Be Done To Save Them

Photo credit: Mountain lion in Southern California, taken by Mark Girardeau

WAN shares the heartbreaking news of yet another mountain lion’s death in California, this time on the northbound 405 Freeway near The Getty Museum in Los Angeles.

California Highway Patrol officials confirmed the news after receiving reports of a deceased animal around 2:31 p.m. on Thursday, July 4th. Officials called the California Department Fish and Wildlife after they identified the mountain lion.

Reports indicate that the big cat was discovered on the freeway’s central divider and is suspected to have been struck by a vehicle.

Officials with the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area reported that the mountain lion was not collared and was not included in the pack monitored by the National Park Service.

Last month, WAN reported on the tragic discovery of a mountain lion that was found dead on the 101 Freeway near Agoura Hills, California. The deceased feline was discovered near the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, which will be the world’s largest wildlife crossing once completed.

Regrettably, incidents like these happen all too frequently, underscoring the urgent need for the new wildlife crossing on the 101 freeway to protect mountain lions and prevent their extinction in the Santa Monica Mountains.

Construction of the new wildlife crossing began in April 2022 and is expected to be completed by early 2026. The project is being funded through a combination of public and private donors, with significant contributions from the Annenberg Foundation, California state agencies, and thousands of individuals.

The objective of the wildlife crossing is to reconnect the Santa Monica Mountains and the Sierra Madre Range, enabling the free movement of isolated animals such as mountain lions, deer, and other wildlife impacted by the freeway system.

As of 2021, the population of mountain lions in the Santa Monica Mountains has drastically declined, with estimates suggesting that only 10 to 15 individuals remain in the wild. This decline is largely attributed to habitat loss, fragmentation, and human-wildlife conflicts.

The decreasing number of mountain lions in this region poses a significant threat to the ecosystem and biodiversity of the area. Conservation efforts are crucial to preserve the remaining population and ensure the long-term survival of these majestic creatures. Measures such as habitat protection, wildlife corridors, and public education are essential in addressing the challenges faced by mountain lions in the Santa Monica Mountains. Urgent action is needed to protect this vulnerable species and prevent further decline of their population.

The completion of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing will play a significant role in fostering biodiversity in the region, preserving the natural ecosystem, and protecting mountain lions in California for future generations to come.