One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
Park Officials Say P-78, A Young Mountain Lion, Has Been Killed
P-78. (Courtesy National Park Service)
Sad news from the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area: another mountain lion in the ongoing study there has been killed, likely hit by a vehicle.
The cat, known as P-78, had also been exposed to several lethal toxins used to kill rodents. Biologists found the body along San Francisquito Creek in Valencia. P-78 is the 23rd mountain lion in the Santa Monica Mountains study to be killed since 2002.
1/ We are sad to share the news that another mountain lion in our study, P-78, was likely killed by massive injuries sustained from being hit by a vehicle. 😢 He also tested positive to exposure to 5 anticoagulant rodenticide compounds & bromethalin. pic.twitter.com/DSi4FoxxDH
— Santa Monica Mtns (@SantaMonicaMtns) March 31, 2021
The recreation area's Twitter account reported that the cat had been living in the eastern Santa Susana Mountains and would cross beneath the 5 Freeway along the Santa Clarita River.
According to park officials, P-78 was first "captured in the central portion of the Santa Monica Mountains on December 11, 2019." At that time, he weighed 84 lbs. The radio collar he was given at that first capture was replaced last November.
"At the time, he was in good physical condition and he had a full belly and had been feeding on a deer and raccoon kill. He weighed about 102 lbs."
MORE ON LA'S WILDLIFE
- Massive Milestone For Massive Wildlife Crossing Over 101 Freeway
- P-22, The Famous Mountain Lion Of Griffith Park, Checks Out Healthy At 11 Years Old
- A New Mountain Lion, P-96, Was Spotted In The Santa Monica Mountains
- A Field Guide To SoCal's Iconic Wildlife (And Where To Find Them)
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily newsletters. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
