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Los Angeles’s Griffith Park, a popular destination for hiking and cycling enthusiasts, is known for its abundance of wildlife. But a new creature, a 110 lb mountain lion, is calling the park home.
“P-22″ is the first confirmed mountain lion sighting in Griffith Park, and the 22nd lion the National Park Service has collared there. First spotted in March, P-22 was captured and collared soon after. But the GPS stopped working, and scientists have not been able to capture him again, though they know he’s still in the park.
Scientists say that P-22 is from the Santa Monica Mountains, approximately 40 miles away.
Cool. I'll keep an eye peeled for him next time I'm hiking in Griffith Park...
I was hiking there at the end of March. I can definitely see how a mountain lion could sort of melt into the terrain.
As long as he is able to find non-human food, I suppose everything is copacetic.
And according to the article, he might not be hanging around that long anyway.
I was hiking there at the end of March. I can definitely see how a mountain lion could sort of melt into the terrain.
As long as he is able to find non-human food, I suppose everything is copacetic.
And according to the article, he might not be hanging around that long anyway.
Yeah, Griffith Park is part of a natural wildlife corridor between the Santa Monicas in the west and the Verdugos/San Gabriels to the east. I'm sure there are enough deer and small mammals in the Griffith Park area to support a mountain lion, at least for some time.
While I wouldn't want to chance it, human attacks are rare. Bipeds are not what they look for. Four-legged creatures that run away from them signal food. Also, hike with a guy in the 6'2" to 6'4" range - attacks on large men are even rarer.
While I wouldn't want to chance it, human attacks are rare. Bipeds are not what they look for. Four-legged creatures that run away from them signal food. Also, hike with a guy in the 6'2" to 6'4" range - attacks on large men are even rarer.
It wouldn't bother me -- odds of hundreds of million or so to one don't sway me from an otherwise enjoyable activity.
It wouldn't bother me -- odds of hundreds of million or so to one don't sway me from an otherwise enjoyable activity.
I've lived in NorCal, too, and that's probably what I was referring to. The Gold Country foothills of the Sierra Nevada seem to have a good share of these critters, and there have been some encounters.
These in this area are being forced to interbreed as they can't find mates outside of their own family. They really need a land bridge or tunnel for the cats.
These in this area are being forced to interbreed as they can't find mates outside of their own family. They really need a land bridge or tunnel for the cats.
I would guess there is regular movement between the Santa Monica Mountains (of which Griffith Park is the most eastern extent) and the Verdugo Mountains, which has several mountain lions. It's a couple miles of urban landscape between the two, and another couple of miles between the Verdugos and the San Gabriels. But without tunnels or other means, as you mention, I am sure that passage can be hazardous.
These in this area are being forced to interbreed as they can't find mates outside of their own family. They really need a land bridge or tunnel for the cats.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Green Onions
I would guess there is regular movement between the Santa Monica Mountains (of which Griffith Park is the most eastern extent) and the Verdugo Mountains, which has several mountain lions. It's a couple miles of urban landscape between the two, and another couple of miles between the Verdugos and the San Gabriels. But without tunnels or other means, as you mention, I am sure that passage can be hazardous.
Just saw this on 20/20 last night. California wants to build a tunnel underneath the highway so critters can pass safely from one side to another. A mountain lion was killed recently trying to cross the highway.
Just saw this on 20/20 last night. California wants to build a tunnel underneath the highway so critters can pass safely from one side to another. A mountain lion was killed recently trying to cross the highway.
Good to know that is in the planning.
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