Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Young Mountain Lion Shot In Downtown Santa Monica [UPDATED]
Mountain Lion via Shutterstock
()
Authorities said that they were forced to shoot and kill a young mountain lion that wandered into a Downtown Santa Monica building today after multiple unsuccessful efforts to contain it.
The animal was first seen by a janitor inside a commercial building in the 1200 block of Second Street, near the Santa Monica Promenade. Santa Monica Police surrounded the building and called State Fish and Game officers to the scene, according to City News Service.
The lost mountain lion, earlier reported as a baby, was later described as a young male, about 3 years old and 75 to 100 pounds, according to the Los Angeles Times.
After multiple attempts to tranquilize and contain the animal, authorities said that they were forced to shoot it.
Support for LAist comes from
“Our hope is always to be able to return wild animals back to their natural habitat,” Department of Fish and Game Assistant Chief Paul Hamdorf said in a statement. “However, public safety is our number one priority. We appreciate the cooperation and assistance that the Santa Monica Police provided, and support the decisions that were made in the field.”
DFG staff, Santa Monica Police and the Santa Monica Fire Department used three non-lethal methods, including a tranquilizer dart, a pepper ball, and fire hoses to contain the mountain lion in an area until the tranquilizer took effect, according to authorities. When the lion began to run, and could not be contained, it was shot.
Editor's Note: This story and headline have been updated to reflect new information made available after the incident was first reported.
[UPDATE TIME 2:00 pm]
[UPDATE TIME 10:50 am]
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity. -
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
Best of LAist