Just two months since mountain lion P-61 was killed while crossing the 405 Freeway and one month after two mountain lions were found dead due to rodent poisoning, the National Park Service welcomes P-77.
They announced Monday via Twitter that they had captured the 2-year-old female mountain lion and radio-collared her before releasing her back to Simi Hills where she was found.
According to the National Park service, the new furry addition is in good health and will be part of their 20-year study of mountain lions in the Santa Monica Mountains and its surrounding areas.
nThe kittens, two boys and two girls, joined the "P" family. They were dubbed P-70, P-71, P-72, and P-73.
nResearchers said that although the animals were in good health, they were likely the product of inbreeding, which has been a growing problem with the cats that live south of the 101 Freeway.n
n"The 101 Freeway is a major barrier to movement, which restricts the ability of mountain lions to come into and go out of the area, and unfortunately leads to a lack of breeding options," said Jeff Sikich, biologist for Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.
nThe kittens were birthed by P-19, researcher said. They believe she mated with her grandson, P-56, a 3-year-old mountain lion.
nOne solution is in the works, though. Caltransand others are planning to build a wildlife crossing over the 101 Freeway in the Liberty Canyon area.
nSee photos of the litter below.
