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LA's Wild Neighbors: Two Young Cougars Die in Tragic Week
29 May
Summary
- Two young mountain lions died from vehicle strikes in Los Angeles recently.
- One cougar was nearly a year old, the other a 6-month-old kitten.
- A new wildlife crossing is set to open soon to improve animal safety.
Two young mountain lions tragically lost their lives to vehicle strikes in Los Angeles within a 48-hour span, emphasizing the severe threats they face due to habitat loss and development.
A nearly year-old female cougar, documented in the Hollywood Hills, was struck and killed on Mulholland Drive. Just two days prior, a 6-month-old male kitten died on Las Virgenes Road.
These recent fatalities, occurring on both freeways and surface streets, underscore the widespread risks. Since the National Park Service began its study, nearly 60 mountain lions have perished from vehicle collisions in the region.
However, signs of hope are emerging. The upcoming Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, set to open on December 2, is designed to significantly reduce roadkill by providing a safe passage over the 101 Freeway.
Wildlife advocates are optimistic, noting that animals like deer are already observed near the construction site, suggesting eager use of the new route once it is accessible.
