With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
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.
Super Cute Mountain Lion Kitten Spotted In L.A., Scientists Celebrate
Scientists are celebrating a new mountain lion kitten that was recently spotted in the Santa Monica Mountains.
As loyal LAist readers surely remember, L.A. has a badly endangered mountain lion community in the Santa Monica Mountains, trapped in a maze of freeways. The population was until recently thought to be 15, with two cubs recently killed by predators.
However, researchers just spotted a cub they'd never seen before, bringing the number to 16.
"It’s a cause for celebration because there is one more to count in that struggling population," the National Wildlife Federation's Beth Pratt-Bergstrom told the Guardian.
Sponsored message
The kitten's mom is thought to be the mountain lion nicknamed "P-23" by scientists. Once they can catch and put a tracking device on this six-month-old, it will probably be named P-46.
Here's a super cute video of the lil guy, courtesy of the National Park Service's Facebook page.
P-23's Surprise KittenRemember when we announced that P-43 and her unknown sibling died? Turns out there was yet another unknown sibling—and it survived! Make sure to turn up the volume to enjoy this at full squeee-ness and find out what we know so far here: go.nps.gov/p23kitten - Zach, Communications Fellow
Posted by Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area on Thursday, December 17, 2015
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
