Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
Need A Moment To De-Stress? Meet LA’s Newest Mountain Lion Kittens
P-54, a three-year old mountain lion living in the Santa Monica Mountains, recently gave birth to a litter of kittens – males P-82 and P-83, and female P-84. (Courtesy of Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area)
If you, like us, could use a moment to de-stress, these photos of cranky mountain lion kittens should help.
Big mood from this little lion. (Courtesy of Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area)
(Courtesy of Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area)
The three kittens — two males and a female — were recently discovered in the Santa Monica Mountains. Biologists from the National Park Service located, examined and tagged the cats, NPS spokesperson Ana Beatriz Cholo said in a press release.
The trio, now dubbed P-82, P-83 and P-84, all appeared healthy, she said.
The kittens' mother is P-54, a 3-year-old cougar that biologists have been tracking since early 2017. Researchers believe this is her first litter.
The father is believed to be P-63, based on location data from his and P-54's radio collars, which put them together several months back.
Sponsored message
Biologists are hopeful that the new kittens represent a positive step for genetic diversity in the local mountain lion population. P-63 came into the area from the Simi Hills, north of the 101 Freeway. Rsearchers took genetic samples from the newborn kittens for testing, Cholo said.
Wildlife researchers have warned about puma inbreeding within the Santa Monica Mountains, where the big cats are hemmed in by our freeways and isolated from other territories and mountain ranges. That leads the mountain lions to mate with their close relatives, which puts the population in jeopardy.
Researchers say the lions of the Santa Monica Mountains could disappear within 50 years. Back in April, Southern California’s mountain lions were placed on the state’s endangered species list, although on a temporary basis. A permanent listing could go into effect in 2022.
So stay healthy, little lions. We’re all rooting for you!
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.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
