Remembering Beloved Mountain Lion P-22
For a decade, the mountain lion named P-22 (“P” for “Puma” and “22,” because he was the 22nd mountain lion in a long-term study) survived in a small area for a big cat – the approximately seven square miles of Griffith Park in Los Angeles. The average range of a cougar is between 30 and 125 square miles. As a young cat from the Santa Monica Mountains, P-22 had, miraculously, survived crossing two of the busiest freeways in the United States to end up in the park in one of the largest urban areas of the U.S.
But when 3,000 pounds of moving metal intersects with a living creature, the results are predictable. Like many of his brothers and sisters in California, life ended by being at the wrong place at the wrong time – in a vehicle’s path. And with more than 31 million registered motor vehicles in California, there’s a good chance of being at the wrong place at the wrong time. P-22 did not die immediately. Wildlife officials, alerted to problems, trapped and sedated P-22. Then a thorough examination showed he was suffering with injuries from being hit by a vehicle and from other long-term health problems. A decision was made to euthanize the poor fella. It’s tough being a human being living in L.A.; imagine being a big cat trying to make your way.
That was a year ago. Since then, the wildlife crossing that P-22 inspired is being built and is expected to be completed in 2025 in Southern California on the 101 Freeway at a point north of Los Angeles. There’s increasing awareness of the importance of wildlife crossings in helping animals move/migrate – and save lives, of both humans and other animals.
There’s hope to save species, and there’s despair, as the world plunges into more dystopian directions.
But no gloom & doom right now. It’s December with Christmas approaching, which is the season of light and hope. Let’s hope for the best (and back up that hope with real plans and action) and remember P-22 for his spirit of endurance and for what’s possible, even in a big, scary city.
For a guy just trying to get along, catch a good deer for dinner and find a mate, does P-22 know how much acclaim he received while he was living, and how much has been done in his name? “Do androids dream of electric sheep?” Who knows? Hopefully, P-22 is in heaven with his brother and sister cats, enjoying meadows and streams and peaceful naps, and perhaps asking God when humans will get their act together.
*****
TODAY ONLY:
Watch online “Strong Hunter,” a 22-minute short video by Tony Lee about P-22 and a view of the legacy of this cat and mountain lions from a Native-American point of view. The story of P-22 and the importance of mountain lions is told by Chumash tribal elder Alan Salazar, with original music by Lazaro Arvizu, Craig Torres and Cindi Alvitre.
www.thecatthatchangedamerica.com
This video is a follow-up to Lee’s 2017 “The Cat that Changed America.”
Maria Fotopoulos writes about the connection between overpopulation and biodiversity loss, and from time to time other topics that confound her. On FB @BetheChangeforAnimals and givesendgo.com/calliescathouse.