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.
P-22, ‘The Brad Pitt’ Of Mountain Lions, Celebrates A Decade At Griffith Park
P-22 has been the only mountain lion to migrate out of the Santa Monica Mountains over the past decade. He's celebrating 10 years of living at Griffith Park on Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022.
(
Courtesy Wikimedia Commons/DoD News Features. GFX by Sam Benson Smith
)
Some call him the “Brad Pitt” of mountain lions. And much like the Hollywood legend, P-22 is showing no signs of slowing down.
On Saturday, Los Angeles' most famous mountain lion will celebrate his 10th anniversary of living in Griffith Park. Cameras first caught P-22 roaming the area at night on Feb. 12, 2012. He was captured and tagged with a GPS collar the next month.
P-22 photographed in 2015.
(
Courtesy National Park Service
)
P-22's mythos has only grown since his brief residence at a Los Feliz estate, his courageous defeat of the toxic tendrils of rat poison, and the Odyssean trek from the Santa Monica Mountains over two freeways to find his Southland home.
Support for LAist comes from
And, of course, the National Geographic photo with the Hollywood sign as the backdrop.
"He's a remarkable cat. I can't say every cat would have even made the journey, would have hung out there so long, would have coexisted so well," said Beth Pratt, California regional executive director for the National Wildlife Federation.
It's Pratt who refers to the renowned big cat as the Brad Pitt of mountain lions.
"He's handsome, he's aged well, but struggles with his dating life," she said.
A Big Impact So Far
Pratt points out P-22 has made a huge impact on wildlife conservation.
He's the poster child for the Liberty Canyon Wildlife Crossing. Construction on the world's largest wildlife crossing — over the 101 freeway — could begin in the spring.
Support for LAist comes from
"He put this really relatable story to the plight of these mountain lions," Pratt said. "Lonely, dateless cougar looking for love and cut off from his kind, that really is why we're getting this crossing built."
Regional mountain lions have been breeding themselves out of existence since the 101 Freeway was put in decades ago. Pratt says birth defects have started showing up, and sperm counts and viability have gone down.
That's where the wildlife crossing could make a difference. Pratt says the bridge will "facilitate new genetic blood or non-family members coming into the Santa Monica Mountains."
P-22 is approaching the end of a normal lifespan for a mountain lion. Still, Pratt says he "looks great" for his age. She thinks he could live much longer since he doesn't compete with other mountain lions.
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
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist