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.
2 new mountain lion kittens discovered in Santa Monica Mountains
Kitten siblings P-46 and P-47 are seen at their den in the western Santa Monica Mountains in this photo provided by the National Park Service.
(
National Park Service via Flickr
)
Kitten siblings P-46 and P-47 are seen at their den in the western Santa Monica Mountains in this photo provided by the National Park Service.
(
National Park Service via Flickr
)
Kitten siblings P-46 and P-47 are seen at their den in the western Santa Monica Mountains in this photo provided by the National Park Service.
(
National Park Service via Flickr
)
Two new mountain lion cubs have been discovered in the Santa Monica Mountains.
P–46 and P–47, a female and a male, have been implanted with tracking devices like their mother, P–19, after their den was discovered in a remote area in the western end of the range, according to the National Park Service.
Biologists have been monitoring the local puma population closely since 2002. The animals are penned into a narrow habitat by freeways and other man-made obstacles, which has led to dangerous in-breeding. Scientists hope to learn how they survive in a heavily urbanized environment.
Support for LAist comes from
“We continue to see successful reproduction, which indicates that the quality of the natural habitat is high for such a relatively urbanized area,” Jeff Sikich, a biologist for Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, said in a prepared statement.
P–19 had two previous litters after in-breeding with her father, P–12. Biologists are currently testing the cubs’ DNA to identify whether it’s the same father or perhaps P–45, a recently discovered adult male.
Sikich said this new batch of kittens faces many challenges, “from evading other mountain lions, to crossing freeways, to dealing with exposure to rat poison.”
Several mountain lions in the area have been harmed or killed after exposure to rat poison. Puma P–22 contracted mange, and biologists suspected it was caused by an exposure to the poison. He has since recovered. P–34 was found dead in Pt. Mugu State Park after being exposed to a variety of rat poisons.
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
-
Isolated showers can still hit the L.A. area until Friday as remnants from the tropical storm move out. -
First aspiring spectators must register online, then later in 2026 there will be a series of drawings. -
It's thanks to Tropical Storm Mario, so also be ready for heat and humidity, and possibly thunder and lightning. -
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5425437/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3897+0+0/resize/640x396!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
L.A. County investigators have launched a probe into allegations about Va Lecia Adams Kellum and people she hired at the L.A. Homeless Services Authority. -
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass suspended a state law allowing duplexes, calling more housing unsafe. But in Altadena, L.A. County leaders say these projects could be key for rebuilding. -
This measure on the Nov. 4, 2025, California ballot is part of a larger battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives next year.
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/45c201e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3894+0+0/resize/786x486!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
Best of LAist